Department for Transport

Aviation: Noise

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward proposals to introduce World Health Organisation guideline noise levels in order to safeguard the health of (a) children, (b) the elderly, (c) people with cardiovascular and mental health conditions and (d) other people from aircraft noise.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The WHO guidelines do not refer solely to noise from aviation, but relate to noise levels from any of various sources including other transport sources such as from road, rail, and non-transport sources such as construction, industry and the neighbourhood. It is not possible to have a single objective noise-based measure that is applicable to all sources of noise in all situations because effect levels are likely to be different for different noise sources, different people and at different times.   As such, the Government has no plans to introduce the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines for community noise. At a national level, the Government aims to promote good health and a good quality of life through the effective management of noise within the context of Government policy on sustainable development.

Heathrow Airport

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the views expressed on the expansion at Heathrow airport by the Richmond Heathrow Campaign, summarised at www.rhcfacts.org, before reaching a decision on aviation capacity expansion.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Airports Commission has produced an extremely significant and detailed study – considering over 50 different options for new hub capacity and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders during its work. It has considered around 70,000 responses to its consultation earlier this year, including responses made by the Richmond Heathrow Campaign. The Commission has produced a large amount of very detailed analysis. The Government will now carefully consider all the evidence before making a decision on the way forward.

Noise

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people in the UK are exposed to noise levels in excess of World Health Organisation guideline levels; and what estimate he has made of the number of people who will be exposed to such levels if the expansion of Heathrow were to proceed.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines for community noise relate to noise levels from any of various sources including road, rail and aviation from transport, and non-transport sources such as construction, industry and the neighbourhood.   The guidelines propose that in residential areas where the general daytime noise exposure is below 55dB LAeq (non-specific time period), few people will be ‘seriously annoyed’ by noise, and that few people will be ‘moderately annoyed’ below a value of 50dB LAeq.   The Government does not currently monitor how many people are exposed to noise levels in excess of WHO guidelines for community noise, though DEFRA does publish noise exposure figures for selected noise bands for each agglomeration in England in accordance with the Environmental Noise Directive (Directive 2002/49/EC).   In considering options for airport expansion, the Airports Commission did not assess the proposals against the WHO guidelines but did assess them in various economic scenarios against a noise scorecard with a range of metrics, including a day noise level down to 54dB LAeq and a night noise level down to 48dB LAeq. The Commission found that expansion at Heathrow was compatible with reducing the number of people exposed to noise at these levels in 2030 compared to the baseline situation in 2013.

Heathrow Airport

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will assess the implications for his policies of the evidence of Transport for London submitted to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Heathrow and the Wider Economy, which argues that an investment of around £20 billion will be required for adequate surface transports to an expanded Heathrow Airport.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Airports Commission has produced an extremely significant and detailed study – considering over 50 different options for new hub capacity and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders during its work.   It has considered around 70,000 responses to its consultation earlier this year, including responses made by Transport for London and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Heathrow and the Wider Economy.   The Airports Commission has set out the detailed analysis of its consideration of the surface access requirements for the three short-listed options including the costs.   Good surface access links are essential to the success of any major airport and this issue including the costs will be a key consideration in any Government decision making regarding airport capacity.

Heathrow Airport

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of compliance with requirements (a) for sustainable development and (b) in the National Policy Statement for National Networks to give air quality considerations substantial weight of the potential Heathrow airport expansion.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Airports Commission undertook a considerable amount of work to assess the air quality implications of the three shortlisted expansion schemes. The impact on local air quality and how this affects compliance with EU air quality standards is something the Government will be considering carefully when deciding on additional runway capacity.

Department for Transport: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the name, responsibilities and pay band are of each special adviser in his Department.

Mr Robert Goodwill: I refer the Hon Member to the answer given by my Right Hon Friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 13 July 2015 (UIN 5893) http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&uin=5983 .

Parking

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what safeguards are in place to ensure that the DVLA only provides its data to car parking companies which are registered by the British Parking Association.

Andrew Jones: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) takes the protection and security of its data very seriously. A comprehensive set of safeguards is in place to ensure data is disclosed only to legitimate organisations and where it is lawful and fair to do so.   To request information from the DVLA, private parking management companies must be a member of an appropriate Accredited Trade Association. The requirement helps to ensure that those requesting DVLA data operate within a code of practice that promotes fair treatment of the motorist and ensures that there is a clear set of standards for operators including an independent appeals process.   There are currently two Accredited Trade Associations for the parking industry; the British Parking Association and the Independent Parking Committee.

Railways: Electrification

Harry Harpham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect on negotiations between the Government and Sheffield City region for a new City Deal of the suspension of work on the electrification of the TransPennine route and the Midland Main Line.

Claire Perry: The pausing of electrification of the TransPennine route and the Midland Main Line has no effect on negotiations between the Government and Sheffield City region for a new City Deal.

Railways: North of England

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what contract penalties will have to be paid as a result of the pause in the planned Manchester to Leeds electrification project.

Andrew Jones: I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 9 July to the Hon Member for Nottingham South (Lilian Greenwood), UIN 5693http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&uin=5693.

Telecommunications

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on the proposed Electronic Communications Code.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Since the Infrastructure Act received Royal Assent in February 2015, no subsequent discussions have taken place.

Railways: North of England

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will estimate the number of apprenticeships that would have been created in (a) 2015, (b) 2016, (c) 2017, (d) 2018 and (e) 2019 if the planned Manchester to Leeds electrification had gone ahead.

Andrew Jones: Network Rail are not able to provide those estimates, as the scheme was at an early stage of development. However, Network Rail are currently recruiting 200 apprentices nationally in 2015.

Railways: North of England

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish his Department's assessment of the economic cost to Greater Manchester arising from the pause in the Manchester to Leeds electrification project in each year to 2019.

Andrew Jones: This Government is committed to electrification and to delivering its benefits in contrast to the lack of ambition of the previous Labour government which managed to electrify just 10 miles of railway in 13 years.   In addition, the Department is already delivering on various rail projects that are already underway that will bring benefits to the north west and beyond, including:   The remaining phases of Northwest Electrification (including Manchester-Preston; Preston-Blackpool; Preston-Stalybridge) A redeveloped Manchester Victoria station completed by September 2015 A rebuilt Allerton Depot by September 2015 to provide capacity for even more electric trains in the North. And the two new franchises commencing in April 2016 will: Get rid of the Pacer trains by the end of 2019 Increase capacity by 36% overall in the peak to Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield by end 2019 (irrespective of when TransPennine Electrification east of Stalybridge is delivered). Provide an extra 200 services each weekday; Double the service to 2 trains per hour from Manchester to Macclesfield and Manchester to Chester from Dec 2017 and Bolton to Stockport via Manchester by December 2019.

Railways: North of England

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the effect on the total cost of the electrification of the Manchester to Leeds line will be of a delay in the starting of the project of (a) six months, (b) 12 months, (c) two years and (d) three years.

Andrew Jones: Any estimate would be significantly influenced by various external factors that will affect the cost and programme, for example resource availability, supplier markets, access regimes, inflation etc. Sir Peter Hendy will look at all of these issues and report to Government in the Autumn with proposals for how the rail upgrade programme will be carried out.

Transport: Freight

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the (a) Mode Shift Revenue Support and (b) Waterborne Freight Grant schemes on modal shift of freight from road to rail and water since 2009-10.

Andrew Jones: Operation of the schemes was assessed in a research study carried out by Ove Arup and Partners Ltd. A summary report entitled "a Review of Revenue Support Freight Grant Schemes" was published on the gov.uk site in May 2014.   An evaluation of the Waterborne Freight Grant scheme was also made in October 2014 by the Department and the Scottish Government as part of the State Aid renewal application process.

Railways

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 26 March 2015 to Question 228876, whether he has at any point (a) requested a copy of Network Rail's list of projects that could be stopped or refused due to capital funding constraints and (b) otherwise had sight of such a list.

Claire Perry: We are not cancelling any projects. We have instead asked Sir Peter Hendy to re-plan the investment programme and he will report on this in the Autumn.   In the case of North Trans Pennine and Midland Main Line electrification, the Secretary of State has been clear: this is a pause, not a stop, to ensure that it happens at the right time to deliver the most benefit.

Network Rail

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 1.256 of the Summer Budget 2015, HC 264, what resources his Department plans to make available to Nicola Shaw during her investigation into the future shape and financing of Network Rail; how many of his Department's officials will work on that inquiry; whether a report summarising that work will be published; and if he will publish the terms of reference for that inquiry.

Claire Perry: My officials are working with Nicola Shaw to ensure she has access to the right resources in conducting her work, and we will announce her team structure in due course. A report of her findings will be published before Budget 2016.

Network Rail

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what salaries or other financial incentives will be paid to (a) Peter Hendy, (b) Colette Bowe and (c) Nicola Shaw for their inquiries into Network Rail.

Claire Perry: Sir Peter Hendy will be remunerated for services in his position as the incoming Chair of Network Rail. He will not receive any additional payment for the review he will be undertaking for the Secretary of State.   Dame Colette Bowe receives an annual fee of £15,000 as Non-Executive Board Member for the Department for Transport. She does not receive any additional fee in respect of the review she is conducting.   Nicola Shaw will not be paid but will be entitled to expenses in respect of her work.

Railways

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraphs 1.255 and 2.193 of the Summer Budget 2015, HC 264, whether he plans for his Department to be the parent department of the new rail land and property body; when he plans to publish the remit of that body; and whether he plans for that body to have ownership over, or responsibility for, determining the ownership of (a) the Old Dalby Test Track and (b) the Railway Technical Centre Business Park, Derby.

Claire Perry: The Government will introduce a new approach to station redevelopment to realise value from public land assets. Further details regarding this new approach will be announced in due course.

Electric Vehicles

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 July 2015 to Question 5102, what funding his Department plans to make available to promote the construction of charging points for electric cars over the next five years.

Andrew Jones: The Government is currently funding the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme, which helps eligible plug-in car drivers with the upfront cost of installing a domestic chargepoint through a 75% grant of up to £700; as well as 75% grants up to a maximum of £7,500 per installation for chargepoints alongside on-street residential parking. Our Road Investment Strategy includes funding of £15m between 2015 and 2020 for a national network of chargepoints on the strategic road network. Further details of the Government’s £500 million investment in ultra low emission vehicles will be announced in due course.

Railways

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations his Department received from Network Rail between July 2014 and 7 May 2015 on the potential deferral or pausing of major rail enhancement projects.

Claire Perry: The Secretary of State regularly meets with Network Rail to discuss a variety of subjects including the enhancements programme.

Motor Vehicles: Innovation

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 July 2015 to Question 5101, what representations his Department has received from automotive manufacturers on the future rollout of autonomous vehicles on UK roads.

Andrew Jones: The Department for Transport has regular discussions with automotive manufacturers on autonomous vehicles and related issues. During its recent review of regulations, officials engaged with a broad spectrum of interested parties, this included the automotive industry, insurers, local authorities, trade associations, etc. In general, there was overwhelming support for the review and the planned actions now being put into place.

Railways: Devon

Johnny Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for the publication of the feasibility studies on the rail line at Dawlish and the potential route via Okehampton and Tavistock.

Claire Perry: Network Rail is carrying out a further study to look at the long term resilience of the rail route through Dawlish. The study is due to be fully complete in April 2016 with an options assessment report available in November 2015.The Peninsula Rail Task Force has also been asked to look at alternative routes including that via Okehampton and is due to report its findings in June 2016. The Task Force provided progress of their work at the Peninsula Rail Task Force South West reception held on Wednesday 15 July.

Railways: North West

Christian Matheson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent representations he has received on development of rail infrastructure in the North West; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: In the North West Network Rail have recently finished electrifying the route from Liverpool to Manchester and to Wigan, and now have 10 electric trains in service on those routes, with plans to increase this to 20 by the end of the year. The work to electrify the route between Manchester and Preston is progressing, as Network Rail are currently enlarging the Farnworth tunnel to accommodate the wires.

Cycling

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to promote cycling.

Mr Robert Goodwill: This Government is committed to increasing the number of people cycling and to making it the natural choice for short journeys or as part of longer ones.   The Infrastructure Act 2015 places a duty on Government to produce a Cycling and Walking Strategy; I have instructed my officials to begin work on this and we will soon lay the secondary legislation required to commence the relevant section of the Act.

Cycling

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to promote cycling.

Mr Robert Goodwill: This Government is committed to increasing the number of people cycling and to making it the natural choice for short journeys or as part of longer ones.   The Infrastructure Act 2015 places a duty on Government to produce a Cycling and Walking Strategy; I have instructed my officials to begin work on this and we will soon lay the secondary legislation required to commence the relevant section of the Act.

Railways: North of England

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the cessation of work on the electrification of the TransPennine route and the Midland Main Line on the Northern Powerhouse initiative.

Claire Perry: We have paused, not ceased, the work of electrification of the Midland Mainline and TransPennine routes pending Sir Peter Hendy's review of electrification priorities due this Autumn.　 The franchise bids for this area which are currently being evaluated are designed to transform connectivity and journey quality for rail customers in the North and are not dependent on these electrification schemes.

Aviation: South East

Kirsten  Oswald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to promote direct flights to international destinations from airports outside London and the South East.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Government recognises that airports outside London and the south east have an important role in helping to accommodate wider forecast growth in demand for international and domestic aviation in the UK. Ultimately it is for airlines to decide what air services they operate, and from which airports, based on their analysis of commercial considerations and global aviation market conditions.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Food Banks: North West

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2015 to Question 3994, if he will take steps to record the provision of food bank collection points provided by each local authority in the North West.

Mr Marcus Jones: There are no plans for my Department to record this information as local authorities and local people are best placed to understand the needs of their local communities.

Landlords: Licensing

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what changes he plans to make to licence checks for landlords as a result of the west Birmingham Right to Rent pilot scheme.

Brandon Lewis: My rt. hon. Friend, the Prime Minister has committed to rolling out the Right to Rent Check scheme nationwide. A decision on how the Government intends to complete roll out will take into account the findings from the evaluation of phase 1. The Department is currently considering what changes are necessary to licensing provisions applying in England to the private rented sector to reflect the roll out. We shall be publishing our plans shortly.

Housing

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the implications of data on population growth published by the Office for National Statistics in June 2015 for its forecasts of housing need and supply shortfall.

Brandon Lewis: My Department publishes household projections that show the projected long term increase in households based on the latest Office for National Statistics population projections. The household projections will be updated in 2016 after the Office for National Statistics has published 2014-based sub-national population projections, which will be based on the most recent demographic trends.

Housing: Older People

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to incentivise the building of additional supported housing for older people.

Brandon Lewis: This Government is committed to addressing the challenge of our ageing population, and is working to help older people to plan ahead and to provide them with choice over the housing that best meets their needs. The National Planning Policy Framework requires local planning authorities to plan for the needs of different groups in the community, including older people. Between 2011 and 2015 almost 14,000 specialised and mainstream housing units for older people were built through the affordable homes programme outside London. Of the allocations so far for 2015 to 2018, a further 6,000 specialised homes are expected to be delivered.Up to £315 million has been made available through the Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund. £141 million has been allocated for phase 1 of the programme and is on track to deliver around 4,000 new homes for older and disabled people by 2018. Assessment of the bids received for phase 2 is currently underway. It is expected that phase 2 could deliver another 3,000 specialised homes.

Housing: Standards

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to make additional financing available to assist housing associations invest in improvements to housing.

Brandon Lewis: There are no plans to make additional financing available to assist housing associations invest in further improvements to housing at this time.The Government provided £0.5 billion of gap funding to stock transfer landlords between 2011-15 to allow them to bring poor quality transferred stock up to the Decent Homes Standard.

Right to Buy Scheme

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what mechanisms he is assessing to ensure that houses sold under the right to buy scheme are replaced in the same area.

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to make additional financing options available to housing associations and charities to negate any short term adverse financial effects arising from house sales at discounted prices under the right to buy scheme.

Brandon Lewis: Details will be set out when the Housing Bill is published.

Planning

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure local authorities are able to co-operate to improve the effectiveness of the planning system.

Brandon Lewis: My Department is keen to support local authorities in achieving positive outcomes from their discussions on cross boundary strategic planning issues. We will strengthen guidance to improve the operation of the Duty to Cooperate. We are also responding to places that seek to take action jointly such as in Manchester where the Mayor will take on strategic planning powers.

Housing: Construction

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that housing and planning policy takes account of best practice in architecture and design; and if he will make a statement.

Brandon Lewis: The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that good design is indivisible from good planning and should contribute to making places better for people. Our planning guidance reinforces this strong focus on design and includes tools which local authorities may use.  We have already set out our aspirations for high quality design through our housing programmes such as Starter Homes, Housing Zones, Estates Regeneration, promoting locally-led garden cities and work on large housing sites. We are also encouraging industry-led innovation, such as through support for the Housing Design Awards.  In January this year, my Department set up a design panel to help raise the bar on housing design across the country. The Panel involves experienced representatives from the housing and design industry, including architects and design bodies, such as the Royal Institute of British Architects and Design Council.

Empty Property

Colleen Fletcher: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to bring empty (a) residential and (b) commercial properties back into use.

Brandon Lewis: The Government has taken significant steps to bring empty properties back into use. We have ensured councils have the right tools and incentives. We provided over £200 million in the last Parliament that funded innovative schemes run by community groups, councils and housing associations up and down the country that created over 9,000 new homes from empty property as well as providing apprenticeship and training opportunities and improving neighbourhoods for local people.We have awarded almost £3.4 billion in recognition of the delivery of over 700,000 homes, plus over 100,000 long-term empty properties brought back into use.We have given councils new powers to remove council tax subsidies to empty homes, and use the funds to keep the overall rate of council tax down.We reformed permitted development rights to free up the planning system and encourage the conversion of existing commercial buildings into residential.We offered a 50 per cent discount in business rates for 18 months to new occupants of shops that have been vacant for a year or more, thereby incentivising enterprising individuals to try out new business ideas on the high street.We championed the innovative use of vacant shops through the Great British High Street Competition. A number of the entrants set out the innovative ways that they are tackling empty shops on the high streets and we have promoted their examples on the Great British High Street Portal and through documents such as Celebrating the Great British High Street. The number of empty homes is at its lowest since records began.

Council Housing: Construction

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of specifying that new council homes be allocated half to existing residents on waiting lists and half to new foreign residents.

Brandon Lewis: Social housing is a scarce resource and I believe it is right that available local homes should be allocated to long standing local residents, or those with a well established local association to the area. The Government’s 2015 Manifesto included a commitment to introduce a new residency requirement, so that EU migrants cannot be considered for social housing unless they have been living here for at least four years; and made clear that this would be taken forward as part of wider EU treaty negotiation on welfare changes.

Housing: Construction

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the level of consistency in the way five-year housing supply is calculated by developers and local authorities.

Brandon Lewis: National planning policy requires local planning authorities to identify and update annually a supply of specific deliverable sites to provide five years worth of housing against their housing requirement. They must also provide an additional buffer of 5% (or 20% where there has been a record of persistent under delivery of housing). The National Planning Policy Framework and planning guidance provide clear advice on what is meant by a deliverable site. Establishing which sites are deliverable can only be achieved at a local level and in the light of the specific circumstances that apply to each individual site.

Social Rented Housing: Tenants

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that housing associations aim to maintain a social mix in an area when selecting tenants.

Brandon Lewis: The key principle behind allocation of social housing is to meet housing need. Allocation of Private Registered Provider (housing association) homes to prospective tenants is done through: Nominations from local authorities under statutory framework in Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996. This allows local authorities to nominate people who have sufficient priority under the Reasonable Preference category from their waiting list and Private Registered Providers are required by law to co-operate with councils in providing accommodation for such people. Direct allocation by Private Registered Providers which is not subject to a statutory framework but is regulated by the Homes and Communities Agency's Allocation Standard. While there is no specific requirement in the Standard regarding maintaining a social mix in the area, Private Registered Providers are required to deliver allocations processes in a way which supports their effective use by the full range of actual and potential tenants. In addition, local authorities are able to use their powers under the Localism Act 2011 to set their own criteria determining who qualifies to go on their waiting list and can use the power to address specific issues identified as problems in the local area.

Local Government: Property

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether councils will be required to sell off any property assets in addition to high-value residential council houses to fund his Department's proposed changes to housing policy.

Brandon Lewis: We will be setting out details of the scheme when the Housing Bill is published.All local authorities should use their resources effectively and efficiently. When there is an increased need for housing, it makes no sense for a council to keep hold of one vacant, high value, council house when it could be sold to fund the building of more homes.

Right to Buy Scheme

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, by what mechanism he plans to reduce the time period between the sale of social housing under right to buy and the receipt by housing associations of compensation from the Government.

Brandon Lewis: Details will be set out when the Housing Bill is published.

Council Housing: Sales

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the overall proportion of local authority housing stock that will be sold off as high-value properties under the Department's proposed changes to housing policy.

Brandon Lewis: Ministers and senior officals are engaging with the sector on the details of the scheme, which will be set out in due course.

Families: Disadvantaged

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, in how many and what proportion of families supported by the Troubled Families Programme have unemployed family members entered employment.

Greg Clark: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Housing: Shortages

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 2 July 2015 to Question 5507, what recent representations he has received from local authorities on shortages in (a) social and (b) private housing.

Brandon Lewis: My Department regularly engages with local authorities and representative bodies to discuss a wide range of issues, including housing provision.

Local Plans

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to improve the timely delivery of a local plan in areas where a local authority has not produced such a plan.

Brandon Lewis: The Government strongly encourages all areas to get up-to-date Local Plans in place. Although we have supported all authorities in plan-making, and recently seen significant positive plan-making progress, there is more that we can do to ensure comprehensive Local Plan coverage. The Government’s Productivity Plan, published on 10 July, outlined the Government’s commitment to ensuring that Plans are put in place and to bringing forward measures to improve the plan-making process. We intend to set out shortly in a statement how we will take these measures forward, engaging closely with the sector in doing so to ensure that any reforms build upon recent positive progress on plan-making. I would openly encourage all areas to put renewed effort into plan-making as Local Plans are the best way of working with the community to provide certainty as to what development is appropriate and where.

Affordable Housing: Construction

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what forecast his Department has made of (a) starting and (b) completion rates of affordable homes in (i) Bristol, (ii) the South West and (iii) England in each of the next five years.

Brandon Lewis: The Department does not forecast affordable housing delivery by locality by year. The Government is committed to deliver 275,000 affordable homes in England across 2015-20.

Leasehold: Service Charges

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to protect leaseholders who are not protected under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 or Mobile Homes Act 2013 from compound increases in service charges.

Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Railways: Radlett

Oliver Dowden: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2015 to Question 4550, what Rail Related Works are set out in the conditions attached to his approval of the Radlett Rail Freight Terminal.

Brandon Lewis: Conditions 12 and 13 of the Secretary of State’s decision letter (available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/recovered-appeal-former-aerodrome-north-orbital-road-upper-colne-valley-hertfordshire-ref-2109433-14-july-2014) are on Rail Related Works.

Railways: Radlett

Oliver Dowden: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department can take if there is a breach of the conditions set out in the his approval of the Radlett Rail Freight Terminal.

Brandon Lewis: None. Compliance with conditions is a matter for the local planning authority.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Overseas Companies: Republic of Congo

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the government of Congo to ensure that UK companies are paid for infrastructure works undertaken in Congo on behalf of the Congelese government.

Grant Shapps: We are aware of a small number of cases where British companies have found it difficult to enforce contracts and secure payment for services provided to state bodies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Whilst legal channels remain the best route for contractors to pursue unpaid bills, and officials at our Embassy in Kinshasa are unable to become involved in private legal matters, officials have recently formally contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kinshasa to draw its attention to an individual case with the aim of highlighting our interest in seeing a timely and fair solution to disputes involving British companies

Mediterranean Sea: Refugees

Deidre  Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress his Department has made on tackling the root causes of the refugee situation in the Mediterranean.

Mr David Lidington: The UK is using its international development programme and diplomatic efforts to alleviate poverty and bring about greater political stability in countries of origin and transit. We are working with partners in Europe and Africa to disrupt smuggling networks.

Yemen: Peace Negotiations

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether it is his Department's policy to propose a further round of negotiations between the conflicting parties in Yemen.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The UN is leading the political process in Yemen to agree a lasting ceasefire and resumption of an inclusive political process in accordance with Security Council resolution 2216. The UK fully supports the efforts of the UN Special Envoy and would support further consultations or negotiations if that is what he recommends.

Yemen: Refugees

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department holds evidence of an increased flow of Yemeni refugees travelling to Libya and attempting to cross the Mediterranean since the start of the conflict in that country.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We do not have any direct evidence that Yemeni refugees are travelling to Libya and then crossing the Mediterranean.

Tobacco

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on his Department's officials meeting representatives of the tobacco industry in an official capacity.

Mr Hugo Swire: Our policy on meeting with representatives from the tobacco industry in an official capacity is laid out in the “Guidance for Overseas Posts on support to the Tobacco Industry”. This was drafted in 2013 to ensure that our engagement with the tobacco industry is compatible with our World Health Organisation obligations on tobacco control.The guidance is circulated annually to all staff and, in the interests of transparency, is published for viewing at www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/287119/Guidance_for_Overseas_Posts_on_support_to_the_Tobacco_Industry.pdf.

Tobacco

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what guidance he has given to staff of his Department on engaging with the tobacco industry.

Mr Hugo Swire: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued new guidance to all its staff in December 2013 on engaging with the tobacco industry. This guidance was drafted with the Department of Health to ensure that our policy on engagement is consistent with our World Health Organisation obligations on tobacco control.

Friends of Yemen

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government's Friends of Yemen group is active.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Friends of Yemen group was established in 2010, with the UK, Saudi Arabia and Yemen as permanent co-chairs. The group reconvened in 2012, following the Arab Spring, to focus on providing political support to Yemen’s transition under the GCC Initiative and support for economic and security reform. The Friends of Yemen group last met in the margins of the UN General Assembly in September 2014. The UK remains committed to the objectives of the group, and the important co-ordination mechanism it offers. We will continue to encourage all parties to engage with UN-led political talks and do all that we can to improve the humanitarian situation.

Piracy

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of (a) the role the UK has played in reducing the danger of piracy off the coast of Somalia and (b) the potential for such international efforts to be successfully replicated in other at-risk areas.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The UK has played a leading role in international efforts to suppress piracy off the coast of Somalia. Incidents of Somali piracy peaked at 176 in 2011. No successful attacks have occurred since 2012.The UK provides the headquarters and Commanders to the EU and NATO naval counter piracy missions. The UK also seconds two staff to EUCAP NESTOR, the EU-led regional maritime civilian capacity building mission. Additionally, the UK co-chairs the Working Group on Capacity Building of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and has a seat on the UN Trust Fund, supporting initiatives of States countering piracy off the Coast of Somalia. The UK also funds projects of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime to deliver technical assistance to regional states to help establish a legal framework for the prosecution of pirates. These highly visible roles ensure that the UK is at the forefront of international efforts.

Afghanistan: Taliban

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of progress in talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban; and what he would consider a successful outcome to be to those negotiations.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We welcome the recent talks between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taleban and support a political process to end the long-running conflict. A successful outcome to a peace process would be a durable reduction in violence in Afghanistan, while also maintaining the progress made in Afghanistan since 2001. Ultimately, the process will need to be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned, and we support them in their efforts to bring the conflict to an end.

Middle East: Nuclear Weapons

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of links between the Iran nuclear negotiations and wider nuclear non-proliferation in the Middle East.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The nuclear agreement reached by the E3+3 and Iran on 14 July is a potentially historic achievement. Iran has accepted far reaching limits on its nuclear activities including its stockpiles of enriched uranium, centrifuge numbers, and nuclear research and development. When the (International Atomic Energy Agency) IAEA has verified that these measures have been taken, it will benefit from phased sanctions relief. The aim of the agreement is to ensure that the Iranian nuclear programme will be for solely peaceful purposes. As such, we hope that it can make an important contribution to nuclear non-proliferation in the Middle East and to the goal of a Middle East Zone free from Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Kyrgyzstan: Civil Liberties

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the government of Kyrgyzstan on (a) the Foreign Agents Bill and (b) freedom of expression and association in that country.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: During his visit to Kyrgyzstan in October last year, my Noble Friend the Minister for Justice, Lord Faulks, discussed with Kyrgyz interlocutors a number of human rights issues, including the Foreign Agents Bill and other legislation that might restrict freedoms of expression and association. Our Embassy in Bishkek has also raised our concerns on a number of occasions with the government of Kyrgyzstan and with Kyrgyz parliamentarians.We will continue to raise our concerns about human rights directly with the government of Kyrgyzstan, and in suitable international fora, at every appropriate opportunity.

Egypt

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of (a) freedom of opinion and expression, (b) freedom of peaceful assembly and association and (c) the position of civil society in Egypt.

Mr Philip Hammond: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office published its annual Human Rights and Democracy Report on 12 March 2015, which provides an assessment of the situation in Egypt. The report is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/human-rights-and-democracy-report-2014/human-rights-and-democracy-report-2014.

Guatemala: Human Rights

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on (a) attacks and threats against human rights defenders in Guatemala and (b) the implementation of protection measures requested by the Office of the UNHCR for members of the Nuevo Dia Ch'orti Indigenous Association in Guatemala.

Mr Hugo Swire: Officials at our Embassy in Guatemala City continue to speak regularly with non-governmental organisations and Human Rights Defenders to hear about the freedoms they promote and the challenges they face, including concerns about their safety and security. Embassy officials have also been in contact with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights about protection measures for members of the Nuevo Dia Ch’orti Indigenous Association. We are awaiting clarification about the implementation of these protection measures and will continue to monitor the case closely. Our officials in London recently met representatives of the Association and Peace Brigades International to learn firsthand about their work and the risks they face.

Attorney General

Domestic Violence: Prosecutions

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Attorney General, what recent estimate he has made of the trend in prosecutions relating to domestic abuse involving (a) female and (b) male victims.

Robert Buckland: In cases where defendants have been prosecuted for domestic abuse, the proportion of victims with recorded gender is as follows:  Female victimsMale victims2010-1183.9%16.1%2011-1284.2%15.8%2012-1384.3%15.7%2013-1484.1%15.9%2014-1583.8%16.2%Data Source: CPS Witness Management Information System  The proportions of male and female victims have remained broadly stable during the last five years, with 84% of victims identified as female and 16% male.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Students: Loans

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what plans the Government has to devolve responsibility for further education Advanced Learning Loans.

Nick Boles: The Government does not have plans to devolve responsibility for 24+ Advanced Learning Loans.

National Careers Service

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when the Government plans to devolve accountability for National Careers Service contracts to local areas.

Nick Boles: There are no plans to devolve accountability for the delivery of the National Careers Service.

Apprentices

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what plans the Government has to devolve apprenticeships budgets to combined authorities.

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what proportion of the overall adult skills and apprenticeships budget the Government plans to devolve to local areas.

Nick Boles: On 10th July Her Majesty’s Treasury published the UK’s Productivity Plan, Fixing the Foundations – creating a more prosperous nation https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fixing-the-foundations-creating-a-more-prosperous-nation. This document sets out a 15-point plan that the Government will put into action to boost the UK’s productivity growth, centred on two key pillars: encouraging long-term investment, and promoting a dynamic economy. This sets a clear direction of travel for FE and skills funding: funding for apprenticeships will be routed through employers and we will develop local involvement in the commissioning of provision to give the sector the agility to meet changing skills requirements in the years ahead. We will provide more detail in the autumn. The Government is introducing a UK-wide levy to help fund the increase in quantity and quality of apprenticeship training. The levy will raise money to fund increases in apprenticeship numbers and quality and will be entirely funded by the contributors. The Government is open to discussing proposals from any area for increased powers and greater freedoms to maximise their economic growth, providing the case can be made that there is both strong governance and the capacity and capability to deliver.

Apprentices

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the average (a) length and (b) skill level of apprenticeships was in England in the last 12 months.

Nick Boles: Apprenticeships are expected to last between one and four years. To ensure that apprenticeships focus on providing sustained and substantial training, the minimum duration is 12 months.Information on the average length of apprenticeships is published online:  https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fe-data-library-other-statistics-and-researchThe most recent data published is for 2011/12. Updated figures will be published in the near future.Information on the number of apprenticeship starts by Level is published in a Statistical First Release online (Table 6.1):https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/learner-participation-outcomes-and-level-of-highest-qualification-held

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: Birmingham

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, which local spending bodies in the city of Birmingham (a) his Department is responsible for and (b) draw on funds voted to his Department.

Anna Soubry: We do not hold this information.

Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many permanent members of staff are employed by the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate; and what changes are planned to the level of staffing in that inspectorate in the next 12 months.

Nick Boles: There are currently nine Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate permanent warranted officers, who are supported by one administrative officer. There are no current plans to change staffing levels but they will be considered in the context of the Prime Minister’s announcement on 21st May 2015 that the Government will create a new labour market enforcement agency.

Living Wage

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether the Living Wage supplement announced in the Summer Budget 2015 will be taken into account when calculating (a) employer pension contributions and (b) overtime payments.

Nick Boles: The National Living Wage is a compulsory increase in pay for all workers over 25. It will come into effect in April 2016 at £7.20, 70p above the current National Minimum Wage. The introduction of the National Living Wage will not change the nature of the relationship between a worker’s wages and the calculation of employer contributions or of overtime payments.

Sunday Trading

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what discussions he has had with large-scale retailers on potential changes to the law relating to Sunday trading.

Nick Boles: Brief details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are all publically available on the Gov.uk website. As announced in the Budget, the Government is consulting on proposals to devolve decision making on Sunday trading hours to a local level, for example, to elected metro mayors and/or Local Authorities, in England and Wales. The Government’s position on this subject will be shaped by views received over the course of this consultation.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: Staff

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what progress his Department has made on its consultation on clarifying the employment status of workers, launched on 6 October 2014.

Nick Boles: The internal review of employment status has now concluded and Ministers are considering the findings.

Apprentices: Taxation

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to paragraph 2.201 of the Summer Budget 2015, HC 264, if he will hold a consultation on the introduction of the apprenticeship levy.

Nick Boles: The Government is introducing a UK-wide levy to help fund the increase in quantity and quality of apprenticeship training. The levy will support post-16 apprenticeships in England. There will be formal engagement with business on the implementation of the levy and further details will be set out in the Spending review.

Apprentices

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what proportion of employers offers apprenticeships to 16 to 19 year olds.

Nick Boles: Information on the proportion of employers offering apprenticeships is not centrally collected. However, data from the 2014 UKCES Employer Perspectives Survey[1] show that 16 percent of all employers in the UK offered apprenticeships. The majority of these (15% of all employers) were formal apprenticeships. Among those employers offering formal apprenticeships in the UK, 74 percent offered them to 16 to 18 year olds and 75 per cent offered them to 19 to 24 year olds. Data is not available for the 16 to 19 age group. [1]https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/373769/14.11.11._EPS_2014_-_Main_Report_full_V2.pdf (p.90)

Students: Grants

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many students received maintenance grants in each local authority in the last academic year for which data is available.

Joseph Johnson: Statistics showing the number of English applicants awarded Maintenance Grants for study at UK providers are published annually by the Student Loans Company (SLC) in the Statistical First Release ‘Student Support for Higher Education in England’. http://www.slc.co.uk/official-statistics/financial-support-awarded/england-higher-education.aspx   The number of Maintenance Grants awarded to English applicants at UK providers in each Local Authority in the academic year 2013/14 has been provided in the attached table.   Complete data for the academic year 2014/15 will be published by the SLC in November 2015. 



Maintenance Grants
(Excel SpreadSheet, 24.12 KB)

Carers: Minimum Wage

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will meet the Minister of State for Care and Support to discuss enforcement of the minimum wage in the care sector.

Nick Boles: I have recently met with my Rt hon Friend the Minister of State for Care and Support (Alistair Burt) to discuss enforcement of the minimum wage in the care sector.   The Government is taking action to improve compliance with the National Minimum Wage in the social care sector. We are working closely with the Department of Health, and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).   Over the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2013, HMRC have made enquiries into 224 employers in the social care sector. Over half of these were paying less than the minimum wage- between them owing £1,347,150 arrears of pay to 6959 workers, with penalties issued with a total value of £158,239.   HMRC also opened 225 investigations in the period 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2015. 113 cases are closed with £110,943 arrears identified for 368 workers. Currently, there are 142 investigations open in social care.   The Department of Health has published statutory guidance for local authorities as part of the package of secondary legislation to accompany the Care Act. The chapter of statutory guidance on commissioning and market shaping explicitly states that local authorities should have evidence that contract terms, conditions and fee levels will not compromise care providers’ ability to pay at least minimum wages.   The Department of Health is asking all Local Authorities to sign up to the Social Care Commitment which incorporates a statement about employer compliance with minimum wage legislation. The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services has written out to all its members encouraging them to support the Commitment as a way of raising standards in adult social care.   The Department of Health is also working with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Health Services Management Centre at Birmingham University to develop a set of Commissioning Standards. Local authorities will be encouraged to use these as a benchmark to support them to improve commissioning practices, including those which have an impact on the social care workforce such as employer compliance with National Minimum Wage.   In addition to the actions we are currently taking to reduce non-compliance in the social care sector, we will also be: · issuing guidance to employers so that they understand the NMW law, including tips to avoid common mistakes and the records that they should be keeping to prove that they are paying their workers correctly.  · encouraging care sector workers who have been underpaid to make a complaint- making sure that they understand their entitlement.   Any worker who is concerned that they have not received what they are entitled to should call the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100 for confidential advice. HMRC follow up every complaint.

Students: Loans

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect on the estimated RAB charge on student loans of replacing university maintenance grants with maintenance loan support up to £8,400 per year.

Joseph Johnson: The RAB charge is an estimate and will always fluctuate. Switching grants to loans will increase the estimated write-off for some borrowers, and increases the aggregated RAB charge. We are consulting on freezing the repayment threshold, which may mean that overall the RAB charge would reduce.   My Department publishes an updated estimate of the RAB charge each year, close to the time of the publication of BIS accounts. The most recent estimate of the RAB charge was published on 14 July 2015. The estimate, together with an updated simplified version of the model for calculating the RAB charge can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/stepmodel

Apprentices

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 13 July 2015 to Question 6273, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people who complete apprenticeship programmes receive a full-time job soon after completion of their apprenticeship.

Nick Boles: Apprentices must be employed during their apprenticeship, which must last at least a year. After investing in an apprentice and seeing them develop, most employers keep employing the individual when their apprenticeship is complete. We know that around 90% of apprentices are employed on completion of their apprenticeship with 71% being retained by the same employer. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeships-evaluation-learner-survey-2014)   Our reforms are driving up the quality of apprenticeships to ensure that they fully meet employers’ needs; that apprentices are fully competent in their occupation at the end of their training and have the transferable skills needed to progress their career. This will make apprentices in future an even more attractive prospect for further employment.

Motor Vehicles: Exports

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent representations he has received from automotive manufacturers on promoting UK automotive exports.

Anna Soubry: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and UK Trade and Investment regularly offer export support to automotive companies. As part of our review of exports we are seeking views from industry, including the automotive sector, on what more can be done to drive UK exports. I met the Automotive Council on 17 June.

Apprentices

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many people under the age of 25 started an apprenticeship in each of the last 24 months in (a) Bristol South constituency, (b) Bristol and (c) England.

Nick Boles: Table 1 shows the number of apprenticeship starts for under 25 year olds by month in 2012/13 and 2013/14 for Bristol South constituency, Bristol Local Education Authority and England. This is based on the latest 24 months of final data. Bristol South constituencyBristolEnglandAugust 20126076023,970September 20121501,09053,730October 20127091028,560November 20121069022,660December 20121040012,400January 20131058020,050February 2013-34019,490March 2013-52018,300April 20131049019,160May 20131049016,530June 20132051016,200July 20135097028,890August 20136068021,800September 20131101,14051,450October 20137091029,640November 2013101,12024,330December 20131050013,050January 20143068021,490February 20141064018,410March 20141078020,920April 2014-61017,750May 20141066016,280June 20141067018,400July 20145093025,360 Notes:(1) The source is the Individualised Learner Record.(2) Volumes are rounded to the nearest 10, with the exception of totals which are rounded to the nearest hundred.(3) '-' indicates a value of less than 5.(4) Age is based upon self-declaration by the learner and is defined as age at start of apprenticeship.

Department for International Development

Department for International Development: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the name, responsibilities and pay band are of each special adviser in her Department.

Mr Desmond Swayne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my Rt Hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 13 July 2015.

Burundi: Refugees

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her policy is on providing additional funds to the Regional Refugee Response Plan for the situation in Burundi.

Grant Shapps: We are seriously concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Burundi. To support the international response and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Burundi Regional Refugee Response Plan, DFID has provided £9.25million to support relief efforts for Burundian refugees fleeing to Tanzania and £3.9million to support Burundian refugees in Rwanda. This funding will be deployed to provide life-saving activities (water and sanitation infrastructure, shelter, health and food rations). We have deployed human resources to improve the quality of the response (a secondment to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to work with the country team in Burundi to strengthen coordination and planning, as well as a DFID Humanitarian Advisor to work with Tanzania and Rwanda DFID offices to monitor the situation and develop appropriate programme responses). DFID is also the main donor to the international NGO consortium START network, which provides funding to international NGOs to rapidly respond to emergencies and build the capacity of local NGOs. DFID has provided £13.7million to the network for its global operations since April 2014. To support the humanitarian response to the Burundian situation, START has so far released £442,327 in Burundi, £275,281 in Rwanda, £ 430,203 in Tanzania and £330,000 in the DRC.  DFID continues to work closely with the FCO to monitor the situation in Burundi and in the surrounding areas and to work with our partners to respond to needs on the ground.

Department for International Development: Public Expenditure

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her Department's planned expenditure is on each of the five pillars listed under its strategic framework for economic development in (a) 2015 and (b) each of the following four years.

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her Department's expenditure has been (a) on each programme and (b) in each county under its strategic framework for economic development in 2015 to date.

Justine Greening: Our targeted expenditure under our strategic framework for economic development is £1.8billion for financial year 2015/16 across all 5 pillars. Targeted spend figures for future financial years have yet to be finalised. Details of the expenditure of all ongoing DFID programmes can be accessed at http://devtracker.dfid.gov.uk/.

Department for Education

Children: Day Care

Harry Harpham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if the Government will use Sure Start centres to provide additional childcare as part of its policy of extending free childcare to 30 hours per week.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Children’s centres provide a valuable service. They have the potential to make a critical difference to young families at vulnerable and challenging times in their lives. Local authorities are best placed to determine what children’s centre services best meet the needs of their local community, including the role they should play in delivering childcare provision.

Primary Education: Sports

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many Primary School Sport Partnerships there are in each local authority.

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many primary schools are engaged in Primary School Sport Partnerships.

Edward Timpson: The Department for Education does not collect information on the number of school sport partnerships in each local authority. Schools are free to work in partnership with each other to deliver PE and sport for their pupils.   The government has committed to continuing to support primary school sport with £150 million a year, paid directly to headteachers, until 2020. This builds on the funding that we provided since 2010 to improve the quality of PE and sport provision.   Our vision is for a measurable and sustained improvement in school PE and sport, underpinned by high-quality teaching that increases participation levels in physical activity, and leads to healthier pupils who are more engaged across the whole curriculum. In order to achieve this we have given schools the autonomy to make decisions on how they spend the primary PE and sport premium that will secure sustainable benefits for schools. The primary PE and sport premium is given directly to primary schools to spend on what they think will most benefit their pupils.   We know from the interim findings of our independent research of the Primary PE and sport premium that it is having a positive impact on PE and school sport. A research brief was published in September 2014 and can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pe-and-sport-premium-an-investigation-in-primary-schools.   The final report will be published in the autumn. Since the funding was introduced, time spent on curricular PE at primary level has increased by 13 minutes from 109 to 122 minutes, from 2012/13 to 2013/14. 91% of schools reported an increase in the quality of PE teaching thanks to the funding and 96% of schools reported improvements in pupils’ physical fitness. Schools reported wider improvements in behaviour, healthier lifestyles for their pupils, increased pupil engagement with PE during school time and an increase in participation in after school clubs. A third of schools used the premium to reduce the costs of after school clubs, while a fifth made some clubs completely free to attend.

Free School Meals

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the reasons for changes in the number of children eligible for free school meals in each of the last three years.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The overall proportion of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals has reduced nationally over the last three years from 17.1% in 2013, to 16.3% in 2014, to 15.2% in 2015. As the economy improves, there are two million more people finding work including parents, which is leading to year on year decreases in the numbers of pupils entitled to this benefit. For example, the rate of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) has been falling steadily for the last three years, and this is one the key benefits that provides entitlement to FSM.

Primary Education: Sports

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effect of Primary School Sport Partnerships on participation in sport.

Edward Timpson: The Department for Education does not collect information on the effect of primary school sport partnerships on sport participation. The last school sport survey was published in September 2010 and is available online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/pe-and-sport-survey-academic-year-2009-to-2010. The report measured take-up of PE and sport by young people in schools and colleges over the period in which school sport partnerships were centrally funded. The survey contained a number of key findings which included information across years 1-11, and found that 84% of pupils were spending at least 120 minutes a week taking part in curriculum PE. Since we introduced the Primary PE and Sport premium, time spent on curricular PE at primary level has increased by 13 minutes from 109 to 122 minutes, from 2012/13 to 2013/14.   Funding for school sports partnerships ceased in 2011 as too little money reached the school directly and the programme did not have the intended impact on participation in sport. It is for this reason that the government is committed to supporting primary school sport with £150 million a year, paid directly to headteachers. Through the primary PE and sport premium, over £300 million of ring-fenced funding was paid direct to schools across academic years 2013/14 and 2014/15. The government has committed to continuing to support this until 2020.   We know from the interim findings of our independent research of the Primary PE and sport premium that it is having a positive impact on PE and school sport. A research brief was published in September 2014 and can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pe-and-sport-premium-an-investigation-in-primary-schools.   The final report will be published in the autumn. 91% of schools reported an increase in the quality of PE teaching thanks to the funding and 96% of schools reported improvements in pupils’ physical fitness. Schools reported wider improvements in behaviour, healthier lifestyles for their pupils, increased pupil engagement with PE during school time and an increase in participation in after school clubs. A third of schools used the premium to reduce the costs of after school clubs, while a fifth made some clubs completely free to attend.

Special Educational Needs: Diagnosis

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will introduce a diagnostic assessment pathway for (a) dyslexia and dyspraxia and (b) other specific learning difficulties.

Edward Timpson: Arrangements for referrals for diagnosis of a learning disability are a matter for local determination and a referral might be made via education or health. The new framework for special educational needs, introduced by the Children and Families Act 2014, provides a basis for the different sectors to work together in supporting the assessment of children’s needs and identifying the support they need.   The Healthy Child Programme plays an important role in supporting the early identification of a complex need in the first five years of a child’s life. This is the key universal service for improving the health and well-being of children, through health and development reviews, health promotion, parenting support, screening and immunisation programmes.   All early years providers are required to have arrangements in place to identify and support children with special educational needs (SEN) or disabilities, and to promote equality of opportunity for children in their care as set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, which is published online: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2. Early years providers and educational settings should have arrangements in place that include assessment of SEN as part of the setting’s overall process for monitoring and assessing children.   All schools must use their best endeavours to make sure that children with SEN get the support they need. When deciding on the provision to be made for a particular child or young person with SEN or a disability, schools and local authorities must refer to the SEND Code of Practice, which is available online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25. Teachers, and others working in schools, will work closely with their local Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) when supporting children with SEN and disabilities, including those with dyslexia and dyspraxia.   The Department is working with dyslexia organisations to facilitate better support for children with dyslexia, including funding of £204,000 in 2015/16 to the Dyslexia - Specific Learning Difficulties Trust to provide expert advice, information and training on literacy difficulties, speech and language difficulties and dyslexia to schools and parents. This includes training teachers to deliver quality teaching and Special Educational Needs (SEN) support for pupils with dyslexia.   A grant of £550,000 in 2015/16 has been made to the British Dyslexia Association to fund a project to address issues around early identification and effective provision. The project will develop a certification framework which provides a graduated route towards a whole school policy for supporting children with literacy difficulties.

Ministry of Justice

Young Offender Institutions: Visits

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many children in each young offenders' institution have been placed on closed visits in each month of the last three years for which figures are available.

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what reasons were recorded for children in each young offenders' institution being placed on closed visits in each of the last three years; and how long in each such case that restriction was imposed.

Andrew Selous: Visits are an important part of the rehabilitation of prisoners, allowing them to gain professional advice and support and enabling them to maintain family contact. Reasonable physical contact between a prisoner and a visitor should normally be permitted subject to any security considerations and public protection measures that may be in place. There are circumstances however in which closed visits may be imposed as a precautionary or preventative measure where necessary and proportionate in accordance with Prison Rule 34 (3) for reasons of securing good order and discipline, for the prevention of crime or in the interests of any individual. Each case must be considered on an individual basis and, where closed visits are imposed, subject to regular review. The tables below set out the number of young people who were placed on closed visits in each month for the last three years for which figures are available. 2012 JulyAugSeptOctNovDecCookham Wood000000Feltham413414Parc000100Warren Hill021522Werrington000000Wetherby2013 JanFebMarAprilMayJuneJulyAugSeptOctNovDecCookham Wood000000000000Feltham241111204522Parc110001010300Warren Hill112000010000Werrington211222039100Wetherby 1002411 2014 JanFebMarAprilMayJuneJulyAugSeptOctNovDecCookham Wood000000000000Feltham503457545545Parc300001002000Warren Hill0-----------Werrington030110000111Wetherby240000311343 2015 JanFebMarAprilMayJuneCookham Wood000000Feltham520313Parc000101Werrington404102Wetherby5174076 There are a number of establishments that held young people for some of the period in question but were decommissioned during that time (Downview, Eastwood Park, Hindley and New Hall). In these cases data is no longer readily accessible and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Warren Hill was also decommissioned during this period but we have been able to provide data in this instance. Data for Wetherby is only available from June 2013 onwards. The spike in young people being placed on closed visits at Wetherby in February 2015 was due to the introduction of a local violence management initiative. The reasons for the use of closed visits in individual cases are not recorded centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The main reasons for which closed visits are usually imposed in public sector under 18 young offender institutions include possession of a banned article or substance, suspicion of trafficking a banned substance, violent behaviour and/or failing a drugs test. The lengths of time young people are placed on closed visits for are also not recorded centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, in most cases this will usually be for a period of between 1-3 months.

Sobriety Orders: Pilot Schemes

Kit Malthouse: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policy of the results of the Alcohol Abstinence Monitoring Requirements scheme piloted in Croydon; and whether he plans to make this method of disposal available to the courts without restriction nationwide.

Andrew Selous: The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) are currently running a pilot to test a delivery model of Alcohol Abstinence Monitoring Requirements (AAMRs). Interim results are available on London.gov.uk and a full evaluation will be available at the end of the pilot. The Government set out in its manifesto that it would make sobriety orders available to all courts in England and Wales. We want to learn lessons from this pilot in order to inform national rollout.

Ministry of Justice: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the name, responsibilities and pay band are of each special adviser in his Department.

Mr Shailesh Vara: I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given on 13 July by my Right Honourable Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office in PQ 5983.

Recorders

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the number of part-time fee-earning recorders who worked in courts in each of the last five years.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The number of Recorders in post is published by the Judicial Office every year. The report for the number of Recorders in post as at 1 April 2015 will be available on 30 July at: www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications/.As at:Numbers in post1 April 201411261 April 201311961 April 201211551 April 201110201 April 20101233 The number of recorders who sit in court each year may differ from the number in post.

Open Prisons

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2015 to Question 5439 on open prisons, how many prisoners had committed each offence.

Andrew Selous: Open prisons provide an important opportunity for prisoners serving long sentences to be tested and to reintegrate into the community in a controlled manner prior to release. However, categorisation to open prison is never automatic. The Government has tightened the eligibility for open prisons, and only those who are assessed as a low risk are transferred to open prison. Prisoners serving a determinate sentence must be within 2 years of release before they can be considered for allocation to an open prison, and those serving determinate sentences will only be transferred following recommendation from the Parole Board. The number of prisoners held in open prisons as at 31 March 2015 and convicted of offences within the category of ‘violence against the person’, is set out in Table 1 below. Table 1: Number of prisoners held in open prison as at 31 March 2015 by “violence against the person” offence type  Offence TypeNumber of prisoners as at 31/3/2015MURDER329WOUNDING WITH INTENT TO INFLICT GBH237INFLICT GRIEVOUS BODILY HARM152WOUNDING (INFLICTING GBH)95MANSLAUGHTER70ATTEMPTED MURDER43DEATH BY DANGEROUS DRIVING RTA 198843ASSAULT OCCASIONING ABH28POSSESSION OF FIREARM WITH INTENT. ENDANGER LIFE20OTHER VIOLENCE OFFENCES18MAKING THREATS TO KILL15POSS FIREARM WI FEAR OF VIOLENCE (SECTION 16A)13CRUELTY TO OR NEGLECT OF CHILDREN6DEATH BY CARELESS DRIVING/DRINK DRUGS (SECTION 3A)6POSSESSION OF AN OFFENSIVE WEAPON6CARRYING A FIREARM WITH CRIM INTENT (SECTION 18)5POSS F/A TIME COMMIT/ARREST FOR OFF (SECTION 17/2)3COMMON ASSAULT2ADMINISTER POISON1ASSAULT OCCASIONING ABH (WHERE VICTIM IS A CHILD)1ATTEMPT TO CHOKE, SUFFOCATE OR STRANGLE1HARASSMENT1INTIMIDATION OF WITNESS1MAKE/KEEP EXPLO WI ENDANGER LIFE/PROP (SECTION 3)1MALICIOUS WOUNDING (SECTION 20)1RACIALLY OR RELIGIOUSLY AGG ASSAULT (CDA 1998 c37)1All1,099 Notes to table:· The figures in these tables have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. · These figures have been based on predominant function of the prison and therefore excludes prisoners held in open wings of closed establishments.

Missing Persons

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of legislation enabling families of missing people to protect financial and legal affairs of such people.

Dominic Raab: My Department’s assessment of our proposals for legislation enabling families of missing people to protect their financial and legal affairs is set out in the consultation paper Guardianship of the Property and Affairs of Missing Persons published on 27 August 2014 and the response paper published on 23 March 2015. We will bring forward legislation when Parliamentary time allows.

Mediation: Family Proceedings

Mr Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department plans to take to increase the take-up of mediation for family disputes.

Caroline Dinenage: We have taken a number of steps to increase the take-up of family mediation. From 3 November last year the first single session of mediation is publicly funded in all cases where one of the people involved is already legally aided. The ‘First Stop: Family Mediation’ campaign which ran between January and March this year was designed to raise awareness of the benefits of family mediation. The campaign saw an increase of 340% in the number of visitors to the Family Mediation Council (FMC) website and a 45% increase to the ‘find a mediator’ page on their website. We will continue to look at ways in which family mediation can be promoted as a quicker, cheaper and more effective ways for parties to resolve disputes over an application through the court.We are working with the mediation sector and regulators to investigate how we can strengthen out of court agreements (or ‘memorandum of understandings’) to encourage people to mediate. .We will also consult with all relevant stakeholders to look at ways in which new family mediation contracts can be improved to help encourage more parties to participate in family mediation.

Mediation: Family Proceedings

Mr Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to encourage the judiciary to make greater use of its existing powers in family procedure rules to refer people to family mediation at any stage in proceedings.

Caroline Dinenage: We continue to support mediation as a more effective way of resolving disputes. Mediation allows both parties to reach a decision together, instead of the court making an order which one party – or neither party – may not wantWhere private family cases come to court, if there is a dispute over arrangements for children, the Child Arrangements Programme will apply.http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/family-justice-reform/pd-12b-cap.pdfThis sets out the framework for resolving disputes and is clear that during the court process the judge should consider all options available including referring parties to mediation where this is suitable.The family judiciary has received training on the Child Arrangements Programme and they are aware of their powers to refer parties to family mediation during court proceedings. How and when judges use these powers is a matter for their discretion based on the facts of an individual case and the suitability for the dispute to be resolved through mediation.We will continue to work with the judiciary and the mediation sector to raise awareness of the benefits of mediation so that it remains an option to resolve disputes even where cases have come to court.

Mediation: Family Proceedings

Mr Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the performance of the scheme which allows both parties in a family dispute to receive one free mediation session where just one party qualifies for legal aid.

Caroline Dinenage: In the first full quarter since the first session of mediation was free to eligible parties, the number of mediation starts increased by 339 to 2336, the highest levels since April-June 2013. In parallel to these changes the Ministry of Justice undertook work to promote the benefits of mediation through the ‘First Stop: Family Mediation’ communications campaign. I refer the hon. Member for Exeter, Ben Bradshaw MP to my response to parliamentary question 6861 in which I summarise the success of this campaign. Mediation starts have now increased in four consecutive quarters and we continue to look at ways in which we can promote family mediation over an application through the court. We will also continue to monitor the number of couples attending a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) and – more importantly – the number of people starting mediation.

Mediation: Family Proceedings

Mr Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what his policy is on retaining legal aid for family mediation.

Mr Shailesh Vara: We are committed to making sure that more people make use of mediation services to resolve family disputes arising from separation or divorce. Legal aid remains available for family mediation, and for legal advice to support such mediation, for those who satisfy the eligibility criteria. To further promote mediation as a method of dispute resolution the government has, from November 2014, provided funding for the first single session of family mediation in all cases where one of the participants qualifies for legal aid.

Prisons: Discipline

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many incidents of each type were recorded on the Incident Reporting System in (a) privately and (b) publicly run prisons in each month since 1 January 2014.

Andrew Selous: The Incident Reporting System is used by establishments to record events that undermine the safety of those within an establishment and/or subvert the authority or effectiveness of the establishment’s regimes or facilities. We are due to publish the latest quarter's incident data shortly.

Mediation: Family Proceedings

Mr Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of the provision in the Children and Families Act 2014 making it compulsory for families to attend a mediation information and assessment meeting before being able to apply for a court order.

Caroline Dinenage: From 22 April 2014 it became a legislative requirement that anyone considering applying to court for an order about their children or finances is legally obliged to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) first, unless specific exemptions apply (for example domestic violence). Following this legislative change, attendance at MIAMs has increased, as published athttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/438013/legal-aid-statistics-bulletin-jan-to-mar-2015.pdf. We are pleased that the number of couples attending MIAM and, more importantly, the number of mediation starts are increasing and we continue to look at ways in which mediation can be promoted as a more effective way of resolving disputes than an application through the court.

Prisoners' Release: Christmas

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2015 to Question 3652, what was the (a) maximum and (b) average period of time for which offenders were released over the Christmas period.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2015 to Question 3652, which offences had been committed by each offender; what length of sentence was being served by each offender; and from which prisons was each such offender released over the Christmas period.

Andrew Selous: It has not been possible to produce it in the time allowed. I will write to you in due course.

Prisoners' Release: Christmas

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2015 to Question 3652, what the criteria are for eligibility for release from prison for Christmas.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2015 to Question 3652, how many of the offenders released for Christmas were (a) male and (b) female.

Andrew Selous: Where there is a legitimate reason for a prisoner to be absent from prison, whether for resettlement, medical or other purpose, they may be released at the appropriate time, subject to risk assessment. The main purpose of release on temporary licence (ROTL) is to facilitate the prisoner’s rehabilitation, to encourage them to take responsibility for their actions and take control of their lives in a socially acceptable way. Consideration will therefore be given to allowing prisoners nearing their release date to take ROTL to fit in with family celebrations and religious holidays of particular significance, including Christmas, where this has been identified as in line with the aims of the resettlement plan. All temporary release is subject to rigorous risk assessment, including assessment of the impact of release on any victims. Release will be refused where there is an unacceptable risk of breach in the particular case. Over the past 18 months, we have overhauled the temporary release provisions and, in 2014, instances of ROTL fell by 14%, the number of prisoners taking ROTL fell 22% and there was a 39% fall in the number of temporary release failures. Of the 1,347 offenders on temporary release on 25 December 2014, 1,251 were men, 96 were women. These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Public Defender Service: Barristers

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which barristers are employed by the Public Defence Service; and what day rates each such person charges.

Mr Shailesh Vara: This information is available on the Public Defender Service website: http://publicdefenderservice.org.uk/advocates/our-advocates/

Sentencing

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will list all the possible requirements that can be attached to a community order or a suspended sentence order by sentencers (a) in all courts and (b) in certain courts as part of a trial or pilot scheme.

Andrew Selous: The following community requirements are currently available in all courts when imposing a community order or a suspended sentence order:· an unpaid work requirement· a rehabilitation activity requirement· a programme requirement· a prohibited activity requirement· a curfew requirement· an exclusion requirement· a residence requirement· a foreign travel prohibition requirement· a mental health treatment requirement· a drug rehabilitation requirement· an alcohol treatment requirement, and,· where the offender is aged under 25, an attendance centre requirement. Under the provisions of the Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 the rehabilitation activity requirement replaced the previous activity and supervision requirements, which the courts may still impose when sentencing for offences committed before 1 February 2015. An alcohol abstinence and monitoring requirement is currently being piloted in the south London local justice area, which covers Croydon, Lambeth, Southwark and Sutton, and is currently planned to last until 31 January 2016.

Shoplifting: Convictions

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the reasons for changes in the number of convictions for shoplifting food in each of the last three years.

Andrew Selous: The total number of convictions for theft from shops has fallen steadily since 2010. These figures can be viewed at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/428937/outcomes-by-offence-tables.xlsx under 46 Theft from Shops. These figures do not show what percentage of these convictions related to theft of food.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service: Staff

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many full-time equivalent staff have been employed in HM Courts and Tribunals Service to deliver fine and compensation enforcement orders in each of the last five years.

Mr Shailesh Vara: Information on the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff employed by Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) in the area of enforcement of the payments of fines in each of the last five years is set out in the table below.DateTotal number of staff (FTE)31/12/20101541.8431/12/20111819.8731/12/20121513.2431/12/20131382.1831/12/20141346.23Enforcement as a separate HMCTS function was not created until June 2011. For data purposes prior to that date, the business code name and hierarchy information has been used to identify staff who work in enforcement. This Government takes recovery and enforcement of financial impositions very seriously and remains committed to finding new ways to ensure impositions are paid and to trace those who do not pay.

Courts: Debt Collection

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the collection rates for (a) fines, (b) penalties and (c) confiscation orders have been in each of the last five years.

Mr Shailesh Vara: This Government takes recovery and enforcement of financial impositions very seriously and remains committed to finding new ways to ensure impositions are paid and to trace those who do not pay. This is why there has been a year on year increase in the total amount of financial penalties collected over the last four years. The amount of money collected has risen from £290m at the end of 2013/14 to a record of £310 million at the end of 2014/15. This is an increase of £20m (7%) in cash collection of financial impositions (excluding confiscation) compared to that collected in 2013/14. The table below shows the percentage of the value of fines that had been collected, cancelled or remained outstanding at the end of each of the last four financial years. This data is not available before April 2011. YearCollected Against Impositions in Period Cancelled Impositions in Period 2011-1238%9%2012-1339%8%2013-1437%9%2014-1537%7% This includes accounts that were not due to be paid by the end of the period specified (either because they were imposed close to the end of the year or because they had payment timescales set by the courts for beyond the end of the financial year) and those that were being paid by instalments on agreed payment plans. Many of these impositions will have been paid since the end of the financial years stated. The ‘accounts cancelled’ percentage includes both administrative and legal cancellations. It is not possible to split the figures between the two types of cancellation. Administrative cancellations only take place in certain circumstances and after all attempts to collect the amount outstanding have been made. These circumstances include where the offender has died, where they have emigrated with no prospect of return, where the offender has been sent to a mental institution for 12 months or more or where the offender cannot be traced and there has been at least 12 months from the point of imposition. It should be noted that administrative cancellations can be re-instated if the prospects of recovery improve (where, for example, a new address is found). Legal cancellations occur after the case has been reconsidered by a judge or magistrate and further evidence has been presented. Legal cancellations can be as a result of a successful appeal, a change in financial circumstances of the offender or a committal to prison for non payment. We do not record ‘collection rate’ figures for Confiscation orders and fixed penalties.

Leader of the House

English Votes for English Laws

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Leader of the House, what discussions he has had with the National Assembly of Wales and the Welsh Government on English votes on English laws.

Chris Grayling: The proposals have been published and will be put to the House of Commons for a decision after the summer recess. As the proposals relate to House of Commons procedure it is for the House to approve them. Although no direct consultation has taken place with the National Assembly of Wales or the Welsh Government, the proposals have been published, and ahead of the decision of the House on them it is open to all with an interest to consider them to make any representations.

English Votes for English Laws

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Leader of the House, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Wales on English votes on English laws; and on what dates such discussions took place.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Leader of the House of Commons met with the Secretary of State for Wales to discuss English votes for English laws in advance of publication of proposed changes to the Standing Orders.

Government Bills

Wendy Morton: To ask the Leader of the House, how many and which Government bills introduced in the last Parliament affected predominantly (a) England and (b) England and Wales.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The following Government bills as introduced over the five years of the last Parliament affected predominantly England or England and Wales.The proposals that were announced by my Right Honourable Friend, the Leader of the House of Commons, on 2 July on English votes for English laws provide for certification of bills and clauses or schedules by the Speaker of the House of Commons based on the devolution settlement.This list is based on an assessment of the effects of provisions rather than the territorial extent of a bill, which concerns the legal jurisdiction to which the bill extends, which may be wider than application. For example, since England and Wales form a single legal jurisdiction a bill might extend to England and Wales but only affect England. The list does not consider whether the subject-matter of any individual clauses or schedules of a bill would be within the legislative competence of the Northern Ireland Assembly or Scotland Parliament or, if appropriate, the National Assembly for Wales. As such this list is not a guide to the likely certification of these bills had the proposed certification process applied to them.Some of the bills listed contain provisions which extend and/or apply to Northern Ireland, Scotland or, as appropriate, Wales. Under the proposals announced on 2 July, bills, clauses and schedules within them would be certified, and so any provisions which apply to Scotland and/or Northern Ireland would not have been subject to the new process.The list refers to bills at the time of introduction and does not take into account amendments made during their passage. If the territorial extent and/or application of a bill is to be amended in such a way that would affect devolved matters, the consent of the relevant devolved legislature(s) would be sought. This is in accordance with the convention that the UK Parliament will not normally legislate with regard to devolved matters except with the agreement of the devolved legislature.a) On introduction, applied predominantly to EnglandAcademies Bill (which became the Academies Act 2010)Local Government Bill (which became the Local Government Act 2010)b) On introduction, applied predominantly to England and WalesCharities Bill (which became the Charities Act 2011)Education Bill (which became the Education Act 2011)Police (Detention and Bail) Bill (which became the Police (Detention and Bail) Act 2011)Local Government Finance Bill (which became the Local Government Finance Act 2012)Sunday Trading (London and Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill (which became the Sunday Trading (London and Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Act 2012)Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Bill (which became the Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Act 2012)Defamation Bill (which became the Defamation Act 2013)Local Audit and Accountability Bill (which became the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014)Offender Rehabilitation Bill (which became the Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014)Modern Slavery Bill (which became the Modern Slavery Act 2015)Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill (which became the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Act 2015) The corrected totals in the Answer to Question 4228 are: a) two predominantly England-only bills; b) 11 predominantly England and Wales-only bills.I would also like to correct my answer to the Hon Member for Arfon (Hywel Williams) of 2 July 2015, Official Report, col 1656. The number of bills in the previous Parliament that are considered to have been predominantly England-only upon introduction is two.

Ministry of Defence

Unmanned Air Vehicles and Unmanned Marine Vehicles

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of his Department's budget has been allocated to the use, development or procurement of unmanned systems.

Mr Philip Dunne: In the last financial year, some £310 million was spent by the Ministry of Defence on the development, procurement and use of unmanned systems. This represents approximately 0.9% of the defence budget for the year.

Counter-terrorism: Unmanned Air Vehicles

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has employed unmanned aircraft (a) in and (b) around the UK to support counter-terrorism efforts.

Penny Mordaunt: No unmanned aircraft systems belonging to the Ministry of Defence have been used to support counter terrorism operations in or around the UK.

Ministry of Defence: Consultants

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what amount his Department spent on external consultants in (a) 2014-15 and (b) each month of 2015-16 to date.

Mr Philip Dunne: Mnistry of Defence expenditure on advisory consultancy has been £91.2 million in Financial Year (FY) 2014-15, £8.5 million in April 2015 and £0.3 million in May 2015. The figures for June 2015 are not yet available.

War Widows: Pensions

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans' letter to the hon. Member for Leeds North West of 4 June 2015, whether his Department estimated the cost of reinstating pensions for widows of armed forces personnel who remarried between 1973 and 2005 prior to the Government's decision on such pensions.

Mark Lancaster: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 15 July 2015 to Questions 6509, 6522 and 6523 about war widows' pensions. The Government has a longstanding policy that changes or improvements to all public service pension schemes should not be applied retrospectively. The cost of reinstating war widows' pensions for those who remarried between 1973 and 2005 was not estimated. The change to the War Pensions Scheme means that from 1 April 2015 those who surrendered their pensions from that date or after due to remarriage or cohabitation can retain their widow(er)'s pension for life.   



War Widows: Pensions
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Defence

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any spending counted towards the two per cent of GNI target for defence spending will also be counted towards the 0.7 per cent target for ODA spending.

Michael Fallon: Some spending is counted for both the NATO 2% target and the 0.7% Official Development Assistance (ODA) target, in line with NATO and Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development guidelines.

Department for Work and Pensions

Offshore Industry: Safety

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will investigate the causes of the increase in the backlog of safety critical maintenance work on oil and gas installations in 2014.

Justin Tomlinson: Operators choose how best to invest in the exploitation of the offshore oil and gas industry. The Health and Safety Executive’s programme of offshore inspections and accident and incident investigations includes both the identification of immediate failures and underlying causes; findings are followed up with the relevant duty holders. Where consistent causes of failure are identified, these are shared with industry to assist operators in directing investment towards securing efficient and safe production.

Offshore Industry: Safety

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with (a) ministerial colleagues in the Department for Energy and Climate Change, (b) the Health and Safety Executive, (c) the Oil and Gas Authority, (d) trade unions and (e) Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) on OGUK's finding in its annual report into the industry's safety performance in the North Sea in 2014 of a growing backlog of safety critical maintenance work on oil and gas installations.

Justin Tomlinson: The Minister for Disabled People has held discussions on this matter with the Health and Safety Executive. HSE have begun discussions with the Oil and Gas Authority to ensure its approaches to asset maintenance are coordinated. HSE has raised the issue of asset maintenance at a wide range of industry forums, including the tripartite Step Change in Safety Leadership Team at which both Trades Unions and OGUK are represented.

Offshore Industry: Safety

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the current backlog of safety critical maintenance work is for each operational oil and gas installation on the UK continental shelf; and if he will place that information in the Library.

Justin Tomlinson: There is currently no legal requirement for Dutyholders to report this data to the Health and Safety Executive on a formal basis, this is a voluntary scheme managed by Oil and Gas UK (OGUK). The information being requested was gathered by OGUK and is held by them.

Offshore Industry: Safety

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects the Health and Safety Executive to publish the data required to calculate the combined total of major and significant process Hydrocarbon Releases that occurred on North Sea oil and gas installations in 2014.

Justin Tomlinson: The Health and Safety Executive’s ‘Annual Offshore Statistics and Regulatory Activity Report 2014/15’ is scheduled to be released on 23rd September. This will include data on Hydrocarbon Releases.

Offshore Industry: Safety

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons the backlog of (a) planned, (b) corrective and (c) deferred safety-critical maintenance work on oil and gas installations in the North Sea increased over the course of 2014; and if he will make a statement.

Justin Tomlinson: Industry chooses how to invest in offshore oil and gas operations. The Health and Safety Executive seeks to ensure that investment is directed to securing the complementary aims of worker safety and safe sustainable production. I back this approach to supporting growth.

Offshore Industry: Safety

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an urgent assessment of operator participation rates in the voluntary reporting scheme for safety-critical maintenance work on North Sea oil and gas installations.

Justin Tomlinson: Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) reports that around 70% of the industry currently participates in its voluntary scheme. The Health and Safety Executive is in active dialogue with OGUK regarding how best industry can track, report and act upon its performance.

Personal Independence Payment

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what comparative estimate he has made of the total annual cost of personal independence payments (PIP) and disability living allowance (DLA) after DLA claimants switched to PIP.

Justin Tomlinson: Estimates are due to be published as part of the Summer Budget 2015 expenditure table publication on the 21st July 2015, and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2015

Social Security Benefits

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what statistical information his Department holds on deaths of (a) all benefit claimants, (b) all such claimants after losing their entitlement and (c) claimants who had lost their entitlement to disability living allowance.

Justin Tomlinson: Under the Social Security (Notification of Deaths) Regulations 2012 and s125 of Social Security Administration Act 1992 date of death is provided to the Department for all registered deaths. Additionally next of kin also provide information on the date of death of an individual. This information is not routinely compiled or published.

Social Security Benefits: Multiple Sclerosis

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Government has made of the effect of taxing or means-testing of disability living allowance and personal independence payment claims on people with multiple sclerosis.

Justin Tomlinson: No such assessment has been made. My Rt. Hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, made clear in his summer budget on 8 July that the Government has no plans to tax or means-test disability benefits [Official Report, column 333].

Children: Poverty

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect of measures announced in the Summer Budget 2015 on the level of child poverty among families who are (a) in and (b) out of work.

Priti Patel: This Government is committed to working to eliminate child poverty and improving life chances for children. We know that work is the best route out of poverty, which is why we are focused on ensuring people have the skills and the opportunities to move into employment. The Government has carefully considered the impact of the tax and benefit reforms introduced in the Summer Budget. The intended impact of these reforms is to incentivise work, ensure work always pays, and then allow people to keep more of what they earn.

Children: Poverty

Ian Blackford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of measures announced in the Summer Budget 2015 on child poverty.

Priti Patel: This Government is committed to working to eliminate child poverty and improving life chances for children. We know that work is the best route out of poverty, which is why we are focused on ensuring people have the skills and the opportunities to move into employment. The Government has carefully considered the impact of the tax and benefit reforms introduced in the Summer Budget. The intended impact of these reforms is to incentivise work, ensure work always pays, and then allow people to keep more of what they earn.

Social Security Benefits: Ogmore

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in Ogmore constituency claim benefits that will be subject to the uprating freeze from April 2016 to April 2020; and if he will estimate the average difference between the amount that would be received by a claimant if such benefits continue to increase at current rates and the amount that they will receive under the proposed uprating freeze.

Priti Patel: The information requested is not available.

State Retirement Pensions

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he took to inform people affected by the acceleration of the increase in the state pension age brought about by the Pensions Act 2011 of that change.

Justin Tomlinson: I refer my hon. Member to the answer I gave on 29 June 2015 to Question UIN3828

Social Security Benefits

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2015 to Question 5753, how many applications for Short Term Benefit Advance in 2014 were rejected; and for what reasons such applications were rejected.

Priti Patel: Holding answer received on 14 July 2015



 The vast majority of refusals are either because (i) there was a doubt about whether the claimant would be entitled to the benefit being claimed and, therefore, we could not be sure that there was any benefit to advance or (ii) actual benefit was paid instead, which is a better outcome for the claimant.

Department for Work and Pensions: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the name, responsibilities and pay band are of each special adviser in his Department.

Justin Tomlinson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my Rt Hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 13 July 2015 to Question No. 5983

Carers: Young People

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support is available for young people who are sole carers for disabled and elderly family members to set up their own home.

Justin Tomlinson: The Government is committed to continuing to provide financial support for carers, including young carers, through the benefit system. Councils may also be able to support young carers with accommodation and other costs in setting up home.

Forced Labour and Human Trafficking

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2014 to Question 214121, what steps the Health and Safety Executive takes when it discovers evidence of human trafficking and forced labour in the course of its work.

Justin Tomlinson: The Health and Safety Executive does not regulate human trafficking and forced labour. If, during their visits to workplaces, HSE’s inspectors suspect that human trafficking or forced labour may be taking place, then they will forward the details to the appropriate enforcement agencies in accordance with the Joint Workplace Protocol for sharing information between HSE and other Government departments and agencies.

Pension Credit

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the maximum income is which may be received tax free in each week by a person in receipt of the state pension without affecting that person's entitlement to pension credit.

Justin Tomlinson: The level of income at which entitlement to Pension Credit ends is £151.20 for those under 65 years of age and £188.25 for those aged 65 and over (£230.85 and £274.43 respectively for couples). These amounts may be higher for those with caring responsibilities, a severe disability, or certain housing costs. When calculating Pension Credit entitlement, income such as earnings, pensions or income drawdown is taken into account net of any tax liability, and subject in some cases to full or partial disregards. The provisions defining income and its treatment are sections 15 and 16 of the State Pension Credit Act 2002 and regulations 14 to 18 and schedules IV and VI of the State Pension Credit Regulations 2002.

Employment Schemes: Learning Disability

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help people with learning difficulties find work.

Justin Tomlinson: People with Learning Difficulties can benefit from the same support to find work as other disabled people through provision such as the Work Programme and Work Choice. In addition we are launching a new programme, Specialist Employability Support (SES), in September. It focuses on helping those for whom other provision such as Work Choice or Work Programme is not suitable. SES replaces the Residential Training contracts and is expected to double the number of people supported at the same cost.

Employment and Support Allowance

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants of employment and support allowance his Department has classified as unfit to work in each of the last five years.

Priti Patel: The information requested for those placed in the Work Related Activity Group or Support Group following an Employment and Support Allowance work capability assessment, in each of the last 5 years, is published and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/esa-outcomes-of-work-capability-assessments-claims-made-to-sep-2014-and-appeals-to-mar-2015

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2015 to Question 5455, on universal credit, where the trial which began on 20 April 2015 is taking place; how many claimants are involved in that trial; how long that trial is expected to last; and what forms of support are being provided under that trial.

Priti Patel: The Trial is currently taking place in 10 Universal Credit Jobcentres - Wigan, Warrington, Hammersmith, Bath, Harrogate, Oldham, Rugby, Ashton-under-Lyne, Shotton and Inverness, although further phased expansion will be considered. The trial is expected to run through to Autumn 2016 and we will engage with around 15,000 claimants over the course of the entire trial. Claimants receive tailored support from their Work Coach based on their individual circumstances, helping them to achieve clear and relevant goals, which should help in their earnings progression.

Social Security Benefits: Chronic Illnesses

Tommy Sheppard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance he has given to staff working for his Department on dealing with claimants with chronic, incurable diseases.

Priti Patel: DWP provides comprehensive guidance to identify and support claimants who may be vulnerable for a variety of reasons including those who may be vulnerable because of the nature of their physical or sensory impairments.

Social Security Benefits: Chronic Illnesses

Tommy Sheppard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to ensure that people with incurable, chronic conditions do not undertake repeated fit-for-work assessments.

Priti Patel: The Work Capability Assessment focuses on the functional effects of an individual’s condition rather than the actual condition itself. Repeat assessments are designed to ensure that claimants continue to receive their correct entitlement to benefit. Where a decision can be made based on the available paper evidence alone it will be.

Suicide

Tommy Sheppard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance he has given to staff working for, or contracted by, his Department on dealing with people who have a history of suicide attempts; and if he will place a copy of such guidance in the Library.

Priti Patel: DWP provides a range of guidance to enable staff to develop the skills required to support a range of customers and claimants and to respect their needs. This approach aims to ensure that staff are equipped to deal with a diverse set of circumstances. DWP’s guidance “Managing Customer Declarations of Intention to Attempt Suicide or Self Harm” provides a clear detailed action plan for staff and contractors to follow if a customer declares an intention to kill or harm him or herself.

Employment and Support Allowance

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of how many claimants will be affected by the changes to employment and support allowance announced in the Summer Budget 2015 in (a) Wakefield constituency, (b) Wakefield Metropolitan District Council area and (c) the UK.

Priti Patel: The Government will set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill in due course.

Employment and Support Allowance

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants there were in the employment and support allowance work related activity group in (a) Wakefield constituency, (b) Wakefield Metropolitan District Council area and (c) the UK in each year since 2010.

Priti Patel: The information requested for those in the Work Related Activity Group by parliamentary constituency, local authority and Great Britain is published and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dwp-statistics-tabulation-tool Guidance for users is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-tabulation-tool-guidance Information for Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland.http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/stats_and_research.htm

Public Expenditure

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the contribution by the Prime Minister of 24 June 2015, Official Report, column 886, when the data on public spending referred to in that contribution will be published.

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the contribution of the 24 June 2015, Official Report, columns 885-86, when his Department will publish statistics on the deaths of people declared fit for work since May 2010.

Priti Patel: The Department intends to publish out-of-work benefits mortality statistics and the publication date will be pre-announced at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/list-of-scheduled-upcoming-ad-hoc-statistical-releases

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many households will be affected (a) in London by a household benefit cap of £23,000 per year and (b) in each other country and region by a household benefit cap of £20,000 per year.

Justin Tomlinson: The Government will set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill in due course.

Carers

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of people in receipt of carers allowance do not live with the person they are caring for.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his policy is on the interest and repayment requirements for loans under the Support for Mortgage Interest scheme; in what circumstances such loans will be payable; and if he will make a statement.

Justin Tomlinson: The Government will set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill in due course.

Department for Work and Pensions: Legal Costs

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much the Government spent on legal fees in the case of Mathieson v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Justin Tomlinson: The Government’s legal costs have not yet been finalised.

Social Security Benefits

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the average annual change in the income of households which are (a) subject and (b) not subject to the benefit cap as a result of lowering the benefits cap to the levels proposed in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill in (i) England, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Wales, (iv) Greater London, (v) the London Borough of Islington and (vi) Islington South and Finsbury constituency in each of the next three years.

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of children living in households in (a) Bristol South constituency, (b) Bristol and (c) England and Wales that will be affected by a reduction of the benefit cap to £20,000.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many households in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales, (d) Greater London, (e) the London Borough of Islington and (f) Islington South and Finsbury constituency, which are not currently subject to the benefit cap, will be subject to caps at the levels proposed in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill.

Justin Tomlinson: The Government will set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill in due course.

Social Rented Housing: Construction

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with (a) his ministerial colleagues and (b) officials in the Department for Communities and Local Government on the effect of the Welfare Reform and Work Bill on social landlords' ability to finance construction of new homes for social rent.

Justin Tomlinson: Departmental Ministers and officials have regular discussions with Ministerial colleagues and officials from across Government, including from the Department for Communities and Local Government, about current and planned policies where there is a joint interest.

Personal Independence Payment: Bristol South

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in Bristol South constituency have waited longer than six months for the final outcome of their personal independent payment application.

Justin Tomlinson: The Department is assessing the quality of the clearance time data at lower geographical levels and is considering the future release of such information into the public domain. These statistics will be published when they are ready, with the release pre-announced in line with United Kingdom Statistics Authority release protocols.

Suicide

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance is provided for staff (a) working for and (b) contracted by his Department on dealing with clients who are or may be suicidal; and if he will place a copy of such guidance in the Library.

Priti Patel: The Department for Work and Pensions takes seriously any declarations of intention to attempt suicide or self harm that are made by its customers. There is a clear, detailed action plan that staff and contractors must follow if a customer declares an intention to kill or harm him or herself. DWP also provides guidance to help deal with these incidents. I have arranged for a copy of DWP’s guidance “Managing Customer Declarations of Intention to Attempt Suicide or Self Harm” to be put in the Library.

Employment and Support Allowance: Medical Examinations

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the number of priority employment and support allowance cases in (a) the UK, (b) Wales and (c) Caerphilly County Borough.

Priti Patel: Cases are not generally given priority over any other except where the claimant is terminally ill.

Welfare Reform and Work Bill

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the impact assessment for the Welfare Reform and Work Bill will be published.

Priti Patel: The Government will set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill in due course.

Offshore Industry: Safety

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the compliance with health and safety legislation of safety-critical maintenance work on offshore oil and gas installations in the North Sea.

Justin Tomlinson: The Health and Safety Executive examines standards of maintenance as a core element of all its offshore inspections. Inspectors take enforcement action in line with HSE’s Enforcement Policy Statement where risks are not controlled so far as reasonably practicable.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the name, responsibilities and pay band are of each special adviser in her Department.

George Eustice: I refer the hon. member to the answer given by my Rt. Hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office to PQ 5983 on Monday 13 July.

Livestock: Antibiotics

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the oral Answer of the Minister of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the hon. Member for Camborne and Redruth, what comparative data she holds on farm antibiotic use in the UK, Denmark and the Netherlands, per population correction unit for (a) all and (b) each species of livestock.

George Eustice: Data for veterinary antibiotics sold within the EU, including UK, Denmark and the Netherlands, is submitted annually to the European Surveillance of Veterinary Antimicrobial Consumption (ESVAC) project.   Since 2010 ESVAC annually publish data collected from across the EU, the latest being the 2014 report showing 2012 data from 26 countries. To enable data to be comparable the report uses the mg/PCU protocol which takes into account differing livestock population sizes, including horses, and tonnes sold for food producing animals across the countries.   In my oral answer on 18 June (col.445) I said that the UK had a lower figure than countries like the Netherlands and Denmark. However, when comparing the mg/PCU figures from 2005-2012, I can confirm that the UK consistently had a lower figure than the Netherlands, but a slightly higher figure than Denmark.   When comparing the mg/PCU figures the UK continues to be a middle-to-low end country across the EU, this has remained stable since 2008.   The report does not show a breakdown by species.

Farms: Inspections

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects the single Farm Inspection Taskforce to become operational; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice: The Animal and Plant Health Agency and Rural Payments Agency are working closely to develop a range of proposals. The Secretary of State will announce any decisions made in this area in due course.

Home Office

Immigration Controls: Dover Port

Mr Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of the vehicles arriving at the Port of Dover are checked on arrival.

James Brokenshire: 100% of freight vehicles arriving at Dover are subject to screening checks at the border controls at the juxtaposed ports of Calais and Dunkirk. Further screening may take place at Dover on an intelligence -led basis.

Offences against Children

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department has had with HM Inspectorate of Constabulary on that body's recent report into child abuse investigations by the police and the proportion of such investigations that were inadequate.

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that more police investigations into child abuse are conducted to an adequate standard.

Mike Penning: We welcome HMIC’s scrutiny and share its concerns. Officials from in the Home Office have discussed the reports with the authors and already had an informal meeting with a senior official from HMIC.The Government is taking a range of action which will help forces address issues raised by the HMIC reports. As part of this package of measures, we have prioritised child sexual abuse as a national threat which means that police forces and Police and Crime Commissioners must have in place the capabilities they need to protect children from sexual abuse.

Radicalism

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2015 to Question 4287, which international partners, organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors she met as part of the process of policy development and delivery between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015; and what the (a) date and (b) venue was of each such meeting.

Mr John Hayes: Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with a variety of international partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of these meetings are published on a quarterly basis and can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/home-office-mnisters-hospitality-data.

Human Trafficking

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2015 to Question 224410, what steps have been taken to establish a system for recording data about people who have been referred to the UK National Referral Mechanism more than once.

Karen Bradley: We are exploring how this data can be recorded as part of the NRM pilots.

Convention concerning Forced or Compulsory Labour

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 23 March 2015 to Question 228289, what recent steps she has taken towards the ratification of the Protocol to the 2014 Forced Labour Convention; and if she will make a statement.

Karen Bradley: The previous Government presented the Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention to Parliament on 6 February 2015, where it remained for 21 sitting days to allow scrutiny by both Houses. The Government will take the next steps to continue the ratification process in due course.

Stowaways

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many stowaways have been recorded as attempting to travel into the UK by aeroplane in each of the last five years.

James Brokenshire: There is one recorded instance of a surviving stowaway travelling into the UK by aeroplane, in the last five years. All other cases are a matter for the police and the Home Office does not hold this data.

Counter-terrorism: Finance

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which local organisations have received funding or support under the Prevent strategy.

Mr John Hayes: Prevent works in partnership with community groups, who are instrumental in preventing people being drawn into terrorism. Since 2011 we have supported over 180 community-based Prevent projects. Last year we supported over 70 community projects which worked with nearly 40,000 people. We do not provide a breakdown of spend by organisations, as this may impact on our effectiveness to serve the best interest of the public.

Human Trafficking

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to improve the support provided to victims of trafficking in the UK following a positive conclusive grounds decision from the National Referral Mechanism.

Karen Bradley: Potential victims of trafficking in England and Wales are supported through a Government-funded contract, delivered by The Salvation Army.This provides vulnerable victims of human trafficking with a tailored and specialised package of care and support. Once a victim receives a positive conclusive grounds decision, the Salvation Army will work with the victim for further 14 days, including developing a tailored plan on how they can move on safely to integrate into UK society or to return to their home country.

Child Sexual Abuse Independent Panel Inquiry

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what payments have been made to Ben Emmerson QC for his work on the historic child abuse inquiry to date; and what the terms are of his contract for that work.

Karen Bradley: Ben Emmerson QC was appointed on 5 September 2014 as Counsel to the Independent Panel Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. On Thursday 12 March 2015, the Inquiry was set up with statutory powers under the 2005 Inquiries Act. Ben Emmerson QC has remained as Counsel to the statutory Inquiry.From 5 September 2014 to 31 March 2015, payments to Mr Emmerson accounted to £177,480 including VAT.He is employed on standard terms of appointment. His remuneration is £1,700 per full day and £850 per half day and he is expected to be available to advise the Inquiry for up to 4 days a week.The Independent Inquiry is now responsible for publishing its costs on a regular basis.

Counter-terrorism

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to increase the number of counter-terrorism officers stationed abroad.

Mr John Hayes: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Domestic Violence

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress the College of Policing has made on the development of training and investigative guidelines for the police on the new law of coercive control in a domestic setting.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans for the powers to make coercive control in a domestic setting contained in the Serious Crime Act 2015 to come into effect.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which police services in England and Wales have developed their own in-house training on coercive control in a domestic setting; and how she expects the effectiveness of such training to be measured.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers in each police area have been trained on the new law of coercive control in a domestic setting to date.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how she expects the effectiveness of any training on coercive control in a domestic setting to be monitored.

Mike Penning: The Home Secretary has established and chairs a National Oversight Group to monitor and drive delivery against the recommendations of HMIC’s report into domestic abuse published in March 2014. As part of the Group's work, the College of Policing, in partnership with voluntary sector organisations, has developed a rigorous training package, which has been piloted in Hertfordshire police with up to 1,000 officers trained.The Home Office is working with the College and police forces to support the wider roll-out of training across forces, including new components on coercive control. We are also working with the National Policing Lead and the College to ensure best practice from force training packages on coercive control is fed into the development of national training packages and guidance as appropriate.We are committed to implementing the new offence of domestic abuse as soon as possible. We have always been clear that implementation must be supported by proper training and guidance for frontline agencies. We are working with the College of Policing and Crown Prosecution Service to ensure these agencies are confident they know how to use the new offence to provide the best possible protection to victims. We will aim to announce commencement in due course.The National Oversight Group will continue to monitor the roll-out of the training around domestic abuse, and drive progress against all of HMIC’s recommendations.

Scotland Office

Smith Commission

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2015 to Question 5448 and to the contribution of the Leader of the House of 2 July 2015, Official Report, column 1644, what independent assessments the Government has taken into account when assessing whether the Scotland Bill will deliver the Smith Commission agreement in full.

David Mundell: The Government is continuing to engage with civic Scotland, members of the UK and Scottish Parliaments and the Scottish Government as the Scotland Bill progresses through its stages of parliamentary scrutiny. I am confident that the Scotland Bill will deliver the Smith Commission agreement in full and will be recognised as doing so.

Budget July 2015: Scotland

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential effects of measures in the Summer Budget 2015 on the economy in Scotland.

David Mundell: This Budget is for the whole of the UK. It rewards work, backs aspiration and ensures fairness for taxpayers across the UK. We are moving towards a lower tax, higher wage, and lower welfare economy. And within the welfare system, we continue to protect the most vulnerable.And the Budget announces that the Government will introduce a new National Living Wage for workers aged 25 and above. From April 2016, the new National Living Wage will be set at £7.20 – a rise of 70p relative to the current National Minimum Wage rate, and 50p above the National Minimum Wage increase coming into effect in October 2015.We will back Scottish business by setting out a plan to make the UK economy more productive. Where levers remain at the UK level – including in the corporation tax system – we will do all we can to support growth and competitiveness.

Budget July 2015: Scotland

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential effects of measures in the Summer Budget 2015 on the economy in Scotland.

David Mundell: I have regular meetings with Cabinet members, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer.We both agree that this is a budget for the whole of the UK, that takes the necessary steps and follows a sensible path for the benefit of all parts of the United Kingdom.Scotland’s economic success is built on solid foundations: the UK’s effective currency union, a true single domestic market for goods, services and labour, and the UK’s global standing and prestige.

HM Treasury

Air Passenger Duty: Scotland

Andrew Bridgen: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to publish the results of the economic modelling of the effect of a 50 per cent reduction in air passenger duty in Scotland on the aviation and travel industry in the rest of the UK with its review and discussion paper on that issue; and if he will make a statement.

Damian Hinds: In 2012, HMRC published analysis on the effect that differential prices at UK airports could have on overall demand for aviation and passengers' choice of airport. This included an analysis of the impact of price reductions equivalent to 50% of the value of APD in Scotland. The analysis can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/modelling-the-effects-of-price-differentials-at-uk-airports   In response to the concerns voiced by airports about the potential impacts of devolution, the government published a discussion paper at Summer Budget 2015. The paper explores the options for supporting regional airports from such impacts. The paper can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/discussion-paper-on-options-for-supporting-english-regional-airports-from-the-impacts-of-air-passenger-duty-devolution

Renewable Energy: Climate Change Levy

Paul Flynn: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on UK (a) energy security and (b) plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of his policy to remove the climate change levy exemption for renewable electricity.

Damian Hinds: The Government is confident that removal of the climate change levy exemption for renewable electricity will not impact on security of electricity supplies. The Government has already introduced a Capacity Market to ensure there is enough capacity on the system from 2018 to meet our reliability standard, and we have the right tools in place in the meantime through the National Grid’s new balancing services.   The government is committed to meeting its climate change objectives in a cost effective way, and is currently on track to meet its ambition for at least 30% of electricity demand to be met by renewable sources. Removal of the climate change levy renewable electricity exemption will have no direct impact on the achievement of UK carbon budgets targets, as emissions from electricity generation are capped through the EU Emissions Trading System.

Social Security Benefits: Ogmore

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many families with more than two children in Ogmore constituency claim (a) child tax credits and (b) universal credit; if he will estimate the number of such families who will no longer be eligible to receive benefits for a child by the end of 2017; and if he will estimate the average amount by which the benefits received by such families will be reduced.

Mr David Gauke: This information is not available.   Information about the number of benefitting families and average entitlement in the Ogmore constituency in the tax year 2013-14 can be found in the publication ‘Personal tax credits: Finalised award statistics – geographical statistics 2013-2014’ here:   https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-tax-credits-finalised-award-statistics-geographical-statistics-2013-to-2014   The Government is making changes to Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit which will help put welfare spending on a more sustainable path. The Government wants to move from a low wage, high tax, high welfare society to a higher wage, lower tax, lower welfare society. That means more emphasis on support to hardworking families on low incomes by reducing income tax through increases in the personal allowance and increasing wages, than on topping up low wages through tax credits.   From April 2017, the child element of Child Tax Credit will be limited to two children. This means that families who have a third or subsequent child after April 2017 will not receive additional support for this child. Support provided to families who make a new claim to Universal Credit after this date will also be limited to two children. Equivalent changes will be made in housing benefit.

Welfare Tax Credits

Ian Blackford: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take to monitor the effects of changes to tax credits on families with very low incomes.

Ian Blackford: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of reductions in tax credits on families with very low incomes.

Mr David Anderson: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effects of reductions in tax credits on families on very low incomes.

Mr David Anderson: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take to monitor the effects of changes to tax credits on families with very low incomes who are (a) in and (b) out of work.

Damian Hinds: The Government is making changes to Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit which will help put welfare spending on a more sustainable path. The Government wants to move from a low wage, high tax, high welfare society to a higher wage, lower tax, lower welfare society. That means more emphasis on support to hardworking families on low incomes by reducing income tax through increases in the personal allowance and increasing wages, than on topping up low wages through tax credits.   Families with someone working currently on the minimum wage will benefit from the introduction of the National Living Wage from April 2016 which will be set at £7.20 per hour. The Government’s ambition is for the National Living Wage to reach over £9 by 2020. This would equate to a cash rise of £5,200 a year by 2020 for those who are currently working full time on the National Minimum Wage.   These changes will ensure that work will always pay more than a life on benefits, support will be focused more on those on the very lowest incomes and the system will be fairer upon those who pay for it, as well as those who benefit from it. Taking the welfare changes in the Budget together with the record increases in the income tax personal allowance and the introduction of the new National Living Wage, 8 out of 10 working households will be better off by 2017/18.

Equitable Life Assurance Society

Julian Knight: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to ensure that additional support and financial assistance is provided to Equitable Life policy holders to ensure full payments to all policy holders.

Harriett Baldwin: The Equitable Life Payment Scheme already pays the most vulnerable policyholders, the With-Profit Annuitants, their relative losses in full for the rest of their lives.   As announced in the Summer Budget, the Government will double the payments made to policyholders on Pension Credit who have received 22.4% of their relative losses. Work will continue with the Department for Work and Pensions to trace policyholders due a payment of £50 or more.   An ex-gratia payment of £5,000 was made to very elderly annuitants, known as Pre-92 annuitants, and £10,000 if on Pension Credit. These payments were made to relieve some of the pressures associated with living with a reduced annuity income.   The Government has announced the Scheme will close to new claimants on 31 December 2015 and no further changes are planned.

Living Wage

Kirsty Blackman: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he had with the Living Wage Foundation on the National Living Wage before the 2015 summer budget.

Mr David Gauke: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of meetings with external organisations, are published on a quarterly basis and can be accessed on GOV.UK.

Corporation Tax

Owen Smith: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total corporation tax receipts have been in each year since 2005.

Mr David Gauke: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) publishes National Statistics on an annual basis providing information on corporation tax receipts. A table showing annual receipts from 1999-00 to 2013-14 is available online: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/corporation-tax-and-bank-levy-net-receipts   A provisional figure for Corporation Tax receipts from 2014-15 is available in HMRC’s monthly Tax Receipts and National Insurance Contributions statistics: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hmrc-tax-and-nics-receipts-for-the-uk

Welfare Tax Credits

Owen Smith: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many and what proportion of (a) individuals and (b) families in each region of the UK will be affected by the reduction of the threshold for withdrawal of tax credits from £6420 to £3850; and what proportion of all tax credit recipients in each region such figures represent.

Damian Hinds: The Government is making changes to Tax Credits and Universal Credit which will help put welfare spending on a more sustainable path. That means more emphasis on support to hardworking families on low incomes by reducing income tax through increases in the personal allowance and increasing wages, than on topping up low wages through tax credits.   HMRC publishes information on the income used to calculate a family’s tax credit award. The most recent available data is for 2013/14 and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-tax-credits-finalised-award-statistics-geographical-statistics-2013-to-2014 This information can be found in Table 1c.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Renewable Energy: West Yorkshire

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what her Department is doing to provide support for and encourage investment in renewable energy projects in (a) Bradford and (b) West Yorkshire.

Andrea Leadsom: The Government’s current support schemes for the deployment of renewable generation (currently the Renewables Obligation, the Feed-in Tariff and Contracts for Difference) operate across Great Britain. This support is not targeted at any specific geographical area.

Nuclear Power: Safety

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, which recommendations of the report by HM Chief Nuclear Inspector on the implications for the UK nuclear industry of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami have not yet been acted upon; and what the reasons are for not having acted on each such recommendation.

Andrea Leadsom: The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is responsible for monitoring the implementation of recommendations in the HM Chief Nuclear Inspector’s Report on implications from the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. An extensive programme of improvements has been undertaken by operators, the ONR and UK Government in response to each of those recommendations. The latest progress update can be found on the ONR website (http://www.onr.org.uk/documents/2014/onr-fukushima-update.pdf). ONR is currently compiling a further progress update and they expect to publish it later this year.The UK has one of the most robust regulatory and safety regimes in the world, and the sector operates on the principle of continuous improvement.

Wind Power: Isle of Skye

Ian Blackford: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how the recent changes made to onshore wind farm subsidies will affect the Glen Ullinish Wind Farm Development on the Isle of Skye.

Andrea Leadsom: The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change announced to Parliament on 18 June that the Government plans to legislate to close the Renewables Obligation across Great Britain to new onshore wind from 31 March 2016, one year earlier than planned.The Government has proposed a grace period, the precise eligibility requirements of which will be determined through the legislative process and are subject to approval by Parliament. It will be for the developer of each individual project to determine whether they meet those eligibility requirements and to apply for the grace period.

Wind Power

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will estimate the amount of gigawatts of onshore wind that will not be built as a result of the changes to the Renewables Obligation.

Andrea Leadsom: DECC estimate that around 7.1GW of onshore wind capacity proposed across the UK will not be eligible for the grace period and is therefore unlikely to go ahead as a result of the announcement on the 18 June.[1] The precise grace period eligibility requirements will be determined through the legislative process and are subject to approval by Parliament. It will be for the developer of each individual project to determine whether they meet those eligibility requirements and to apply for the grace period.  [1] Based on data extracted from the Renewable Energy Planning Database, April 2015

Wind Power

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many gigawatts of onshore wind will be eligible for grace periods following planned changes to the Renewables Obligation.

Andrea Leadsom: DECC estimates that up to 5.2GW of onshore wind capacity proposed across the UK could be eligible for the grace period announced on 18 June.[1] The precise grace period eligibility requirements will be determined through the legislative process and are subject to approval by Parliament. It will be for developer of each individual project to determine whether they meet those eligibility requirements and to apply for the grace period. [1] Based on data extracted from the Renewable Energy Planning Database, April 2015

Department for Energy and Climate Change: Living Wage

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2015 to Question 2952, if she will make it her policy to secure accredited Living Wage Employer status for her Department from the Living Wage Foundation.

Andrea Leadsom: DECC implemented the UK Living Wage for all staff working for DECC from 1 April 2014.On 21 July 2014, Citizens UK awarded the Living Wage Whitehall Champion 2014 cup and DECC become the first accredited living wage employer in Whitehall.The department has no staff who are paid less than the London or National Living Wage.DECC has also received assurances from its key suppliers that they have no workers currently in post earning less than the London or National Living Wage guidelines.

Offshore Industry: Licensing

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether there will be a licensing round in the North Sea in 2016.

Andrea Leadsom: The responsibility for oil and gas licensing in the North Sea is being passed over to the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) with the Energy Bill. I understand that the OGA is intending to launch a new offshore oil and gas licensing round during 2016.

Cabinet Office

Energy: Employment

Imran Hussain: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which 10 job sectors employed the most people from black and minority ethnic communities in (a) Bradford, (b) Yorkshire and the Humber and (c) the UK.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



UKSA Letter to Member - Ethnic Minority Employment
(PDF Document, 129.06 KB)

Domestic Violence: South Yorkshire

Michael Dugher: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many cases of domestic violence were recorded in (a) Barnsley East constituency, (b) Barnsley and (c) South Yorkshire in each of the last five years.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



UKSA Letter to Member - Domestic Violence
(PDF Document, 122.45 KB)

Carers: Bristol

Karin Smyth: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information his Department holds on the number of carers in (a) Bristol South constituency and (b) Bristol in each of the last three years.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



Carers Attachment for Member
(PDF Document, 21.39 KB)




UKSA Letter to Member
(PDF Document, 64.47 KB)

Debts: Bristol

Karin Smyth: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of aggregate household debt in (a) Bristol South constituency, (b) Bristol, (c) the South West and (d) the UK in each year since 2005.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



UKSA Letter to Member - Household Debt
(PDF Document, 70.42 KB)

Department for Culture Media and Sport

Small Businesses: Government Assistance

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Answer of 10 March 2015 to Question 226447, if he will provide an update on delivery under the Future Fifty programme in line with each of the performance indicators established by the Government and Tech City UK to date.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Tech City UK’s performance against the agreed Key Performance Indicators for the Future Fifty programme to date is as follows:Key performance indicator2014-15Q1 2015-16Number of firms provided with intensive one-to-one support from the Future Fifty team6254Number of Future Fifty events delivered125Number of individuals from Future Fifty firms participating in events delivered as part of the programme291159Net promoter score of companies who respond positively versus negatively about theimpact of the programme88%n/aVolume of positive media coverage in target media, and key message delivery90% of media coverage positive; all coverage contributes towards TCUK’s organisational objectives87.5% of media coverage positive; all coverage contributes towards TCUK’s organisational objective

Mobile Phones: Fees and Charges

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Government is taking to reduce mobile telephone charges for UK users using their telephones overseas.

Mr Edward Vaizey: I am pleased to confirm that formal agreement was reached at the end of June on the EU Telecoms Single Market Regulation. As a result, from June 2017 onwards, consumers will no longer face mobile roaming charges in the EU. This outcome is one that Government has consistently championed from the beginning of negotiations.As an interim measure, from January 2016 until June 2017, consumers will continue to pay mobile roaming charges in the EU at rates calculated from the domestic tariffs plus the wholesale roaming caps currently in force. These rates will be comparable with, or lower than, existing caps. UK mobile service providers may offer roaming tariffs below these rates, as several of them do already.The eventual cessation of mobile roaming charges, will mean that British citizens travelling abroad can enjoy using their mobile without fear of extortionate costs.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Ramadan

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what iftar events Ministers in his Department attended in an official capacity during Ramadan in 2015.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Neither myself, the Secretary of State or the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sport, Tourism and Heritage have attended any Iftar events in an official capacity during Ramadan in 2015.

Department of Health

Department of Health: Training

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many members of his Department's (a) ministerial team and (b) employees based at Richmond House have received dementia friends training from the Alzheimer's Society as of 3 July 2015; and what plans he has to ensure that his Ministers and staff receive this training.

Jane Ellison: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 July 2015 to Question 5686.

Hospitals: Parking

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much each NHS Trust in the North West charges staff to park (a) daily, (b) weekly, (c) monthly, (d) quarterly and (e) yearly; and how much was obtained from staff from such charges in each NHS Trust in 2014.

Alistair Burt: The information is not available in the format requested.   The National Health Service provides data to the Department annually on the average fee charged per hour for staff parking.   The data provided by NHS organisations in the Northern Commissioning Region for the latest available year, 2013-14, is attached.   All the data provided has been supplied by the NHS and had not been amended centrally. The accuracy and completeness of the information is the responsibility of the providing organisation. 



NHS organisations staff parking fee per hour 13-14
(Excel SpreadSheet, 12.16 KB)

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: Meetings

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects NICE to publish the minutes of the Highly Specialised Technologies Evaluation meeting held on 17 March 2015.

George Freeman: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has advised that it expects to publish the minutes of the Highly Specialised Technologies evaluation meeting held on 17 March 2015 on its website by 17 July 2015.

Armed Forces Covenant: Health Services

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2015 to Question 3732, what steps he plans to take to ensure that the Covenant's health commitments are discharged in a fair and equitable manner throughout the UK.

Ben Gummer: The Ministry of Defence and UK Departments of Health Partnership Board ensures that the MOD and UK Health Departments work together to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces Covenant and improve the health, healthcare and wellbeing of the United Kingdom Armed Forces community. Delivery of the Covenant's health commitments, including ensuring 'no disadvantage' to the Armed Forces community whilst having regard to the delivery of health services in each of the four countries is a key objective.

NHS England: Birmingham

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when NHS England plans to advertise its property on Treaford Lane, Washwood Heath, Birmingham as for sale.

Ben Gummer: NHS England advises that ownership of the former Treaford Lane Clinic property transferred to Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust on 1 April 2013.   As the sale of this property is a matter for the local National Health Service, the hon. Member may wish to approach the Chief Executive of the Trust for the information requested.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust: Accident and Emergency Departments

Colleen Fletcher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients waited longer than four hours to be seen at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust A&E department in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jane Ellison: Performance statistics can be found on the NHS England website at:   http://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/

Local Authorities: Birmingham

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which local spending bodies in the city of Birmingham (a) his Department is responsible for and (b) draw on funds voted to his Department.

Ben Gummer: Information on local spending bodies in the city of Birmingham is not centrally held.

Social Workers: Qualifications

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2015 to Question 3195, if he will make it mandatory for care workers to obtain a Care Certificate; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Gummer: The Care Certificate sets out the fundamental skills, knowledge and behaviours that are required for healthcare assistants and social care support workers to provide safe, effective and compassionate care. It represents best practice and is the benchmark of quality fundamental training. Use of the Care Certificate may be looked for by the Care Quality Commission as evidence that service providers meet statutory requirements for training and induction.   There are no plans at present to mandate attainment of the Care Certificate by staff, or its use by provider organisations, mandatory, although we will keep this position under review.

Mental Health Services: Finance

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Oral Answer of the Minister for Community and Social Care of 7 July 2015, Official Report, column 166, when he intends to publish (a) national and (b) each clinical commissioning group's funding allocation for mental health for (i) 2014-15 and 2015-16.

Alistair Burt: NHS England (NHSE) publishes overall funding allocations for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). The majority of mental health spending is in CCG allocations and the NHSE planning document for 2015/16 states their expectation that mental health spending will grow in real terms at least as fast as each CCG’s overall allocation in for that financial year. More details can be found on the NHSE website, at:   http://www.england.nhs.uk/tag/allocations/   Attached is the Allocation Publication letter that NHSE sent to CCG Clinical Leaders, setting out details of CCG allocations for 2015/16, the primary care allocation for 2015/16, the notional split to CCG level to support the primary care co-commissioning agenda, and the indicative specialised commissioning budget by CCG for 2015/16. 



Allocation Publication letter 2015/16-NHS England
(PDF Document, 186.17 KB)

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust: Labour Turnover

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the staff turnover rate was in Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust in each of the last five years.

Ben Gummer: The information is not available in the format requested. Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust was formed on 1 October 2013, following dissolution of the former South London Healthcare NHS Trust.   The following table shows numbers of staff joining and leaving Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust during each of the two most recent twelve-month periods for which figures are available. The table also shows the joining and leaving rate during each twelve-month period.   PeriodStaff LeavingLeaving rateStaff JoiningJoining rateApril 2014-March 201567612.6%1,05119.5%April 2013-March 20143579.0%n/an/a   The following table shows numbers of staff joining and leaving the former Lewisham Hospitals NHS Trust during each of the three most recent twelve-month periods for which figures are available. The table also shows the joining and leaving rate during each twelve-month period.   PeriodStaff LeavingLeaving rateStaff JoiningJoining rateApril 2012-March 201329010.9%53520.1%April 2012-March 201348618.8%38614.9%April 2011-March 201223910.0%72430.3% Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre, Provisional NHS Hospital and Community Health Service monthly workforce statistics.   Notes:  Figures show all staff who have joined from outside or left to outside Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust and Lewisham Hospitals NHS Trust respectively.Turnover data is based on headcount.These statistics relate to the contracted positions within English National Health Service organisations and may include those where the person assigned to the position is temporarily absent, for example on maternity leave.The leaver/joiner rate is calculated by dividing the number of leavers/joiners by the average of the headcount of staff at the beginning of the period and headcount of staff at the end of the period.n/a denotes not available. Due to an amalgamation in October 2013, accurate joiner numbers and rates for 2014 are unavailable.

Prisons: Mental Health Services

Christina Rees: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what arrangements are in place to ensure the effective coordination of mental health provision in prisons in England and Wales.

Alistair Burt: The Mandate commits NHS England to provide better healthcare for people in the criminal justice system in England, including improved mental health care.   NHS England’s new national specifications for health and justice services will help to promote effective and coordinated mental health services across the prison estate in England. All 116 prison establishments now have clear commissioning strategies to improve service delivery.   NHS England has developed new performance indicators for prison healthcare with partners including the National Offender Management Service. These Health and Justice Indicators of Performance (HJIPs) will provide assurance that healthcare delivery in prisons, including mental health care, is fit for purpose. The first HJIP results are expected to be available in autumn 2015.   Mental healthcare provision in Welsh prisons is a matter for the Welsh Government.

Department of Health: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the name, responsibilities and pay band are of each special adviser in his Department.

Jane Ellison: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my Rt. hon. Friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Matthew Hancock) to the hon. Member for Leicester South (Jonathan Ashworth) to Question 5983 on 13 July 2015.

Heart Diseases: Drugs

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to make omega 3 available on prescription to reduce heart disease.

George Freeman: Prescribers can prescribe any product they consider clinically appropriate for the treatment of their patients within medicines legislation, unless that product appears on the list of specific exclusions published under the General Medical Services Contracts regulations.   The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has however stated in its clinical guideline on lipid modification: cardiovascular risk assessment and the modification of blood lipids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CG181) that there is no evidence that omega-3 fatty acid compounds help to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Levodopa: Gambling

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions he has had with clinical and medical bodies on potential links between use of levodopa and gambling problems.

George Freeman: There have not been any recent discussions with clinical and medical bodies regarding the potential link between the use of levodopa and gambling problems. Gambling problems are recognised to be a risk associated with levodopa and dopamine agonists used to treat Parkinson’s disease.There have been warnings about impulse disorders, including pathological gambling, in the product information for all medicines containing levodopa since 2006 and these warnings are also reflected in the British National Formulary provided to all prescribers within the National Health Service.The risk of abnormal behaviours including pathological gambling is also highlighted in the 2006 NICE Clinical Guideline 35, Parkinson’s Disease: Diagnosis and management in primary and secondary care.

Patients: Self-harm

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance his Department has issued to NHS organisations on patient safety checks for patients at risk of self-harm; and what steps his Department takes to ensure such guidance is complied with.

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what choice NHS England gives patients at risk of self-harm to refuse to accept treatment from psychiatrists on the ground of their gender; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The Department has not issued such guidance. However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published ‘Self-harm: The short-term physical and psychological management and secondary prevention of self-harm in primary and secondary care’ in July 2004. The guidance states that: “All people who have self-harmed should be assessed for risk”. It also sets out that that: “Following psychosocial assessment for people who have self-harmed, the decision about referral for further treatment and help should be based upon a comprehensive psychiatric, psychological and social assessment, including an assessment of risk, and should not be determined solely on the basis of having self-harmed”.   NHS England will do its best to facilitate patient choice. Most mental health care is provided by a multidisciplinary team made up of a number of members. The psychiatrist may be able to work jointly with a professional of another gender or through/via that professional in order to provide acceptable and appropriate care.   The provision of such choice must be placed in the context of the management of a specific patient. The capacity of the patient to make such a choice may need to be considered. If the patient is at high risk and is assessed to lack capacity to refuse appropriate treatment then it may be in their best interest to override that particular choice.   Patients, or parents of children, may refuse treatment on the grounds religious or moral beliefs. The General Medical Council states that where this happens, clinicians should discuss their concerns and look for treatment options that will accommodate their beliefs.   Patients must provide consent prior to receiving medical interventions. Under the Mental Capacity Act (2005), where a patient lacks capacity to consent, healthcare professionals can provide treatment if they believe it is in the person’s best interests. However, the clinicians must take reasonable steps to seek advice from the patient’s friends or relatives before making these decisions.   Under the Mental Health Act (1983), people with certain mental health conditions can be compulsorily detained and treated at a hospital or psychiatric clinic without their consent, if deemed necessary.   If the person lacks capacity, which is defined as the ability to understand information and use it to make a decision, and has not previously expressed their wishes, their mental health condition may be treated without consent, as may any related conditions, such as those resulting from self-harm.   In an emergency, clinicians can provide treatment that is immediately necessary to save life or prevent deterioration in health without consent.   With regard to patient choice in mental health, since 2014, patients have been able to exercise choice in mental health on a similar basis to physical health. Patients who are referred for a first outpatient appointment, have the right to choose the provider, and a team led by a named consultant or mental health professional. The guidance can be found on the NHS England website at:   http://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/qual-clin-lead/pe/bp/guidance/   More information about patient consent can be found on the NHS Choices website, at:   http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Consent-to-treatment/Pages/Capacity.aspx

NHS: Career Development

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he plans to review responsibilities within pay bands in the NHS; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The March 2013 national Agenda for Change collective agreement sets out the respective responsibilities between staff and employers on workforce re-profiling and can be found on the NHS Employers website at:   http://www.nhsemployers.org/your-workforce/pay-and-reward/pay/agenda-for-change-pay/agenda-for-change-amendments-2013   There are no plans to review how job responsibilities will be evaluated.

Dental Health: Cumbria

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many children in Cumbria have presented at accident and emergency with dental problems in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: The information available is shown in the following table.   Count of unplanned accident and emergency (A&E) attendances where patients aged 0-17 had dental treatment by NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) of Treatment and Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Area Team of Treatment, 2010-11 to 2013-14.   YearNHS Cumbria CCG of TreatmentCumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Area Team of Treatment2010-11-112011-12-162012-13*142013-14-14   Source: The Health and Social Care Information Centre, Hospital Episode Statistics (HES)   Notes:   Includes activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector.HES is not the official source of total A&E activity, this is the NHS England situation reports collection - http://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/. However, HES permits further analysis of A&E activity as there are a range of data items by which HES can be analysed.CCG of Treatment indicates the CCG area within which the organisation providing treatment was located.Area Team of Treatment indicates the area team within which the organisation providing treatment was located.The symbol "-" (dash) represents the absence of data. To protect patient confidentiality, figures between 1 and 5 have been replaced with “*” (an asterisk).Data relating to CCG of Treatment and Area Team of Treatment are not available prior to 2010-11.The data provided should not be considered a count of people as the same person may have attended an A&E department on more than one occasion.HES include activity ending in the year in question and run from April to March, e.g. 2012-13 includes activity occurring between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013.HES figures are available from 2007-08 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage and changes in National Health Service practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care.

Malnutrition

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the reasons for changes in the number of cases of malnutrition in each of the last three years.

Jane Ellison: Data published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre in 2014 showed an increase in the number of people admitted to hospital for malnutrition. This is likely to be due in part to better diagnosis by doctors, better collection of data and an increase in the ageing population.

NHS Foundation Trusts: Governing Bodies

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many foundation hospitals include on their council of governors elected members from Wales.

Ben Gummer: Information on the nationality of governors elected to foundation trusts is not held centrally.

North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust: Ambulance Services

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many ambulances have waited 30 minutes or longer to hand over patients at (a) West Cumberland Hospital and (b) Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle in each of the last 60 months.

Jane Ellison: Information is not available in the format requested.   Trust level data for ambulance waits during the winter months of 2014-15 can be found on the NHS England website at:   www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/winter-daily-sitreps/winter-daily-sitrep-2014-15-data   Historical data can be found at:   http://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/winter-daily-sitreps/

Social Services: Minimum Wage

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the Answer of 9 February 2015 to Question 223479, what recent discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues in HM Treasury and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on targeted National Minimum Wage enforcement work in the care sector.

Alistair Burt: I met with my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Nick Boles) on 30 June to discuss enforcement of the minimum wage in the care sector.   The Government is taking action to improve compliance with the National Minimum Wage in the social care sector. We are working closely with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).   HMRC review all worker complaints and continue to include the social care sector as part of their ongoing targeted enforcement.

Sugar: Health

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects Public Health England's advice to the Government on sugar reduction to be published.

Jane Ellison: Public Health England is currently in the process of completing its advice on sugar reduction, Sugar Reduction: The Evidence for Action. The report will be published later in the year so it informs our forthcoming childhood obesity strategy.

North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust: Temporary Employment

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much North Cumbria University Hospital Trust spent on agency medical staff in each of the last 10 years.

Alistair Burt: The net spend on agency staff in 2013-14 for the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust was as follows:Agency staff per Department of Health accounts £000s  North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust15,446 The Department did not collect data on agency staff spend prior to 2013-14 and comparable data cannot be provided for earlier years. Additionally, the Department does not collect data on agency staff spending disaggregated to staff category level. Source: Department of Health Notes:   For the first time in 2013-14, the Department collected unaudited financial data from NHS Trusts for Contract and Agency staffing costs and income to give a net expenditure figure. The data was collected on the NHS Summarisation Schedules and consolidated figures were published in the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts.   In the guidance that accompanied the data collection, the definition of Contract / Agency staff is: “Agency” employee payments for the employment of staff where the staff remain employees of the agency and “Contract staff” where the NHS trust has control over numbers and qualifications of staff (in contrast to a service obtained under contract).   Excluded from the “Agency/Contract” category are the costs of staff recharged by another organisation where no element of overhead is included i.e. where the staff costs are shared between the NHS Trust and other bodies; staff on secondment or on loan from other organisations; amounts payable to contractors in respect of the provision of services (for example, cleaning or security).

North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust: Recruitment

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many medical staff of each pay band have been recruited by North Cumbria University Hospital Trust in each of the last five years.

Ben Gummer: This information is not collected centrally.

Women and Equalities

Government Equalities Office: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what the name, responsibilities and pay band are of each special adviser in the Government Equalities Office.

Caroline Dinenage: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my Rt Hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office to PQ 5983 on 13 July.